Roméo Lavia prefers Chelsea to Liverpool in further blow for Klopp

The Blues are also trying to sign Lavia and Liverpool must convince the 19-year-old to move to Anfield.

ANFIELD BOUND?: Romeo Lavia of Southampton during a Premier League match between. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Roméo Lavia would prefer to join Chelsea rather than Liverpool, who have agreed a deal worth £60m with Southampton for the midfielder.

Chelsea are offering £50m plus add-ons for the 19-year-old and if that is accepted all the signs are that they will beat Liverpool to a second key midfield target in a matter of days.

Jürgen Klopp is desperate to strengthen his midfield and has been stung by Chelsea winning the race to sign Moisés Caicedo from Brighton. Caicedo is moving to Stamford Bridge for a British record fee of £115m.

Chelsea have also been trying to sign Lavia and lodged a £55m bid for the Belgian last Friday. Liverpool’s need for reinforcements in the middle is urgent and they refused to give up on the player, who wants to leave Southampton after their relegation from the Premier League. Liverpool raised their bid for Lavia on Sunday night, having previously refused to go over £45m.

The Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has completed his move to Real Madrid on a season’s loan after Thibaut Courtois tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Guardian