Chelsea cool their interest in 19-year-old Arsenal target

Chelsea have cooled their interest in Romeo Lavia, who is a transfer target for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United

According to Felix Johnston (h/t Football.London), Chelsea have cooled their interest in 19-year-old Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, who has been a transfer target for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Lavia is available for a transfer this summer as he played for a Southampton side that got relegated to the Championship at the end of last season.

Chelsea was interested in the Belgian days after the Saints signed him from Manchester City 12 months ago. The Blues even made a £50m offer which was understandably rejected.

12 months on and it seems like Chelsea have decided to take on a different path to rekindle the shine of their midfield department in the summer transfer window.

The latest from Fabrizio Romano is that the Blues will hold talks regarding the potential transfer of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. Personal terms are not an issue there.

A few days ago, it was revealed that the club are in the race for Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga. Treble winners Manchester City are keeping an eye on the young Spaniard as well.

One would think that Chelsea’s decision to cool their interest in Lavia is chiefly down to the fact that they want to get the Caicedo deal over the line. If they manage to sign the Ecuadorian, missing out on the Belgian would not hurt at all.

But, that’s the beauty of a transfer window. A club is withdrawing their interest in a player in favour of signing a better version of him, but the latter hasn’t happened yet.

More Chelsea News

• Chelsea are keen to replace Manchester United-bound Mason Mount with Gabri Veiga
• Salvatore Bagni feels Victor Osimhen will snub Chelsea after they failed to ensure Champions League qualification
• Chelsea have officially signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal

One can only hope that after all this news, Chelsea do manage to get Caicedo this summer. If not, then the Lavia withdrawal would not sit well, especially if a direct rival such as Arsenal get their hands on him. Mikel Arteta can do wonders with a player of that ilk, and so can Pochettino. It remains to be seen where he lands, because imagining him playing in the Championship is very difficult.