Chelsea have completed the signing of young midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton for £53 million plus add-ons.
The 19-year-old has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after rejecting the chance to move to Liverpool.
The Merseyside club had Lavia as a top target to reinforce their midfield and agreed a £60m deal with Southampton, but he chose Chelsea.
Lavia joins Chelsea after one season of Premier League football. He moved to Southampton last summer from Manchester City and made his senior team debut for the Saints.
The Belgian midfielder impressed and has earned himself a big move to Stamford Bridge.
Lavia started his career at Anderlecht, spending eight years with the Belgian giants before joining City at 16.
Chelsea talent spotter and director Joe Shields worked with him at City, took him to Southampton and reportedly played a massive role in bringing him to Chelsea.
Lavia delivered an emotional farewell to Southampton on social media, thanking them for the love they have shown him.
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Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said (via Chelsea’s official website): “We are very pleased to welcome Romeo to Chelsea.
“He demonstrated his quality in the Premier League last season at Southampton, showing maturity despite his young age, and is a player we have monitored for some time.
“We believe he is ready to make an impact at Chelsea throughout the current campaign and in the coming years.”
Lavia will join manager Mauricio Pochettino’s ranks, and his addition will please the Argentine boss, who wanted midfield reinforcements.
However, Chelsea are not finished in the transfer window despite spending almost £1 billion since the arrival of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital Consortium last year.
They are still in the market for a goalkeeper and could use some offensive additions before the transfer window closes.
Chelsea are reportedly trying to sign Bradley Barcola after missing out on Michael Olise.
