Chelsea remain in talks with Southampton over the signing of midfielder Romeo Lavia; Liverpool expected to hold more talks with Saints over Lavia; Chelsea want to bring in two midfielders in this window; one source says Blues are interested in signing both Moises Caicedo and Lavia
Friday 11 August 2023 22:22, UK
Chelsea are close to an agreement with Southampton over the signing of midfielder Romeo Lavia but Liverpool remain interested in the Belgian.
Sky Sports News has been told Chelsea remain in talks with Southampton on Friday night with the south coast club thought to be holding firm on their £50m valuation.
The Blues made a £48m bid earlier this week, while Liverpool have seen three offers turned down this summer - the latest of which was worth £45m.
Jurgen Klopp's side are expected to hold more talks with Saints over a deal for the 19-year-old.
Liverpool and Chelsea are also vying for the signature of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea want to bring in two midfielders in this window and one source has told Sky Sports News they are interested in signing both Caicedo and Lavia.
The developments come on the day talks between Chelsea and Leeds United over the signing of Tyler Adams broke down after the parties were unable to reach an agreement.
Lavia has four years left on his Southampton contract after joining from Manchester City last summer but is expected to leave after Saints were relegated from the Premier League last season.
The Belgium international did not come off the bench during Southampton's win over Sheffield Wednesday on the opening weekend of the season, while he was not named in the squad for the Carabao Cup defeat at Gillingham on Tuesday.
Caicedo has seemingly rejected the chance to join Liverpool and wants to move to Chelsea, despite the Reds agreeing a British-record £111m fee with Brighton.
Liverpool's offer was accepted by Brighton after a midnight deadline for bids for the midfielder was set on Thursday. It is understood Chelsea were prepared to go to £100m for the player, and Bayern Munich were prepared to pay £90m.
However, although Caicedo was expected to travel to Liverpool for a medical on Friday, he had a change of heart and told the Reds he didn't want to join.
He remains in London and has made it clear he only wants to leave Brighton for Chelsea, who have been pursuing him all summer.
Chelsea are yet to offer a new improved bid, and it remains to be seen whether they will.
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
