Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool: Pochettino beats Klopp to ANOTHER transfer target
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 14 Aug 2023 09:45 BST
- 4 min read
Chelsea look set to beat Liverpool in the race for a star, young central midfielder for the second time in as many days, with news that Romeo Lavia is on the verge of joining the west London club.
Lavia, 19, spent the weekend in London celebrating his move to Stamford Bridge, according to transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, and a final announcement is now expected soon.
It comes after news broke late on Sunday night (13 August) that Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton for €133 million (£115m).
MORE: How Chelsea will beat UEFA rules on EIGHT-YEAR Caicedo contract
Liverpool had previously agreed a €127m (£111m) fee for the Ecuador international, but Caicedo made it clear that he only wanted to join Chelsea - a wish that looks set to be granted.
The 21-year-old will undergo his medical today (14 August) and the deal is expected to be officially announced in the coming hours, according to David Ornstein.
MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Southampton eye Aston Villa teenager as Lavia replacement
Lavia to Chelsea?
Chelsea are now set to steal yet another key target away from Liverpool, with Lavia due to join Caicedo in swapping the south coast of England for the blue of west London.
The Belgian, who made his senior international debut in March, had been expected to join Liverpool this summer, with the Reds negotiating with Southampton for several weeks. They saw multiple bids turned down before Chelsea re-entered the race late last week.
TalkSPORT have reported that Jurgen Klopp’s side are prepared to match Chelsea’s offer for Lavia, but it now appears as though he is likely to become the latest in a long line of signings made under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
So far this summer, Mauricio Pochettino’s team have acquired eight players - spending over €200m along the way - but that will rise to 10 additions and nearly €400m when Caicedo and Lavia are unveiled.
Tavolieri also admitted that “this transfer is crazy” so another twist could occur before he is pictured holding up a Chelsea shirt, but Lavia is expected to become a Blues player soon.
