Chelsea want to sign midfield pair Romeo Lavia and Manu Kone this summer.

According to the news outlet Caught Offside, Chelsea are interested in signing both defensive midfielders, who have had impressive campaigns this season.

As reported last week, Lavia has a $50m release clause in his contract at Southampton that can be triggered by Manchester City until 2024, but the Saints are currently hoping to be able to recoup more than that for one of their biggest assets in the summer.

Latest Chelsea transfer news: Blues set to swoop for midfield pair

It is more and more likely that the former-Man City youth academy player will be leaving the Saints in the summer with the South Coast club looking set to be relegated next month, currently sitting bottom of the table, six points from safety with only six games to go. This will undoubtedly help Chelsea’s bargaining position for Lavia, who has shown himself to be an accomplished player who can cope with the demands of the Premier League in a struggling side.

As for 21-year-old Kone, he too has impressed for Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach and with his contract running out in the summer of 2025, the German club may wish to cash in on Frenchman now, who has represented his country at under-21 level.