Done deal Liverpool has signed Southampton’s midfielder that Chelsea chasing for long time

Chelsea and Liverpool are both chasing Southampton’s £40m midfielder Romeo Lavia for their midfield revamps… but the 19-year-old’s former club Man City are NOT looking to re-sign himRomeo Lavia has been a regular for Southampton since signing from Man CityHe has played 33 games this season and impressed despite Saints’ relegationThe 19-year-old is now being chased by both ‘Chelsea and Liverpool’

Published: 08:51 BST, 26 May 2023 | Updated: 08:54 BST, 26 May 2023

Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is ‘being targeted by both Chelsea and Liverpool’, although his former side Manchester City are ‘not looking to re-sign him’.

The 19-year-old left the Etihad for £12.5 million last summer and has been a key player for the Saints, making 33 appearances across all competitions.

He also made his international debut earlier this year in something of a breakthrough campaign, although his performances have not been enough to keep Southampton in the Premier League.

Despite picking up some impressive results, they were the first side relegated this season and remain bottom by eight points with one game left to play.

Lavia seems unlikely to stay with the South Coast as they head into the Championship, and could find himself back at one of the biggest club’s in England.

19-year-old midfielder Romeo Lavia has been a rare highlight for Southampton this season

He has played 33 games for the Saints across all competitions and impressed despite their relegation

According to reports in the Times, Southampton see the defensive midfielder as ‘their most valuable asset’, and feel they could demand more than ‘£40m’ for him.

They also claim Chelsea and Liverpool are keen on bringing in Lavia as both clubs look to re-build their midfields, while Man City are not believed to be in the running.

A clause in the Saints man’s contract means he can be brought back to the Etihad if City match any bid made for him, but Pep Guardiola’s side are thought to be pursuing other options.

Liverpool have come under fire for their lack of depth and energy in midfield at times this season, and could do with an exciting back-up option to support the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

The Reds have narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification for 2023/4 despite winning seven of their last eight games.

Chelsea’s director of recruitment Joe Shields, who signed Lavia to Southampton in his previous job, is keen on the midfielder but has struggled to convince everyone at the club.

Chelsea are interested in bringing the Belgium international in after a torrid season

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool also see Lavia as an option as they look to revamp their midfield

The Blues sent scouts to watch him in Brighton’s 3-1 win over the Saints on Sunday, but it remains to be seen if their incoming manager, believed to be Mauricio Pochettino, will approve of the youngster.

Whoever they bring in this summer, Chelsea fans will be hoping for a much improved performance from their side next year.

Thursday’s 4-1 loss to Manchester United left Frank Lampard’s side 12th in the league with one game remaining. Only three teams have scored less Premier League goals than them this season.

The Blues will finish their campaign on Sunday against a Newcastle side who have already confirmed their Champions League qualification for next season.

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‘Absolutely no excuse’ – Salah ‘devastated’ as Liverpool miss out on Champions League

Mohamed Salah says he is “totally devastated” that Liverpool have failed to secure Champions League football and that the club has “no excuse” for missing out on the top four.

Manchester United sealed the final Champions League spot after a 4-1 win over Chelsea on Thursday night, spelling the end of Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition.

Newcastle, who currently occupy fourth heading into the final Premier League game of the season, secured Champions League football after a goalless draw with Leicester on Monday.

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It is the first time Liverpool have failed to qualify for the Champions League since the 2015-16 season.

Salah says the six-time European champions have let themselves down, with the Merseyside club set to finish the 2022-23 season in fifth place.

“I’m totally devastated,” the Egypt international wrote on Twitter.

“There’s absolutely no excuse for this. We had everything we needed to make it to next year’s Champions League and we failed.

“We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum. I am sorry but it’s too soon for an uplifting or optimistic post. We let you and ourselves down.”

Liverpool are currently unbeaten in their last 10 matches, winning seven and drawing three. However, the Reds have not been able to close the gap on their top-four rivals late on in the season.

A 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday all but ended their top four hopes and Jurgen Klopp admitted after Liverpool’s final home game of the season that the campaign had been “frustrating”.

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“Frustrating wherever you sit,” the German said.

“We made it a proper fight – chasing the Champions League in general. They [the teams above] got more points.

“We would have loved to have made it exciting for another week but we couldn’t do that.

“I asked the boys after the game, who was really, really good today? It was difficult to find one. But the character we showed was good.

“Aston Villa were screwed in the second half and they didn’t know how to deal with it.”

Liverpool exited the Champions at the round of 16 stage this season after a 6-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid.

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