OFFICIAL : Chelsea sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton
Chelsea sign 19-year-old Lavia from Southampton for £58m fee. He will wear the No.45 shirt.
Lavia’s words on joining Chelsea: “Three factors determined my decision. The project and the ambitions of the club were key factors in me choosing Chelsea, but also the history behind the club. It’s really exciting to be a part of this football club and to write some history.”
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“I’m really happy and proud. It’s a privilege to be able to put on this shirt. “Romeo Lavia on Mauricio Pochettino:
“He’s a great manager. We all know what he’s done before. When I spoke to him, he was pretty clear on what he wanted, and the direction he wanted the team to go in. I was really pleased”
Interest in the former Southampton star has been ongoing throughout the transfer window and it seemed at one stage as though he would be signing for Liverpool.
The Reds were in hot pursuit of the 19-year-old and submitted multiple offers to the Saints, only for Chelsea to swoop in and reach an agreement with the club.
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Lavia spent some time back in Belgium before returning to England for his medical with the west London giants.
As Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday, the deal includes an additional £5million in add-ons with Chelsea’s spending under American owner Todd Boehly now on the brink of breaking the £1billion barrier.
Lavia joined Southampton last season from Manchester City after impressing during his formative years in the academy at the reigning Premier League champions.
Pep Guardiola rejected the buy-back option inserted into his contract at the south coast club but will recoup 20 per cent of the sell-on fee from the deal with Chelsea.
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The amount City receive should average out at around £11.6million once Lavia signs on the dotted line to become Chelsea’s latest summer recruit.
Lavia, a Belgian international enjoyed a breakthrough year in the English top-flight last season, making 29 Premier League appearances, but was unable to help steer the Saints clear of the drop zone. His decision to turn down Liverpool means Klopp will now seek alternatives during the remaining days of the transfer window.
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