Premier League giants Chelsea have submitted a last minute bid worth $61.2m for highly rated Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia.

The 19-year-old was left out of the Saints’ opening match of the season against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday amid speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool.

Romeo Lavia set for Chelsea switch?

Despite showing initial interest earlier this summer, the move from Chelsea has come as a surprise to most whilst they also continue to negotiate deals for fellow defensive midfielders Moises Caicedo and USMNT captain Tyler Adams.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the bid is closer to Southampton’s valuation of $63.8m than either of the offers submitted by Liverpool so far with the Saints yet to respond. The Saints’ asking price is seen as too high by Jurgen Klopp’s men for a player of Lavia’s experience.

🚨 Southampton have tonight received offer from Chelsea for Romeo Lavia. #CFC proposal £48m inc adds. Closest anyone has come to #SaintsFC £50m valuation to date. 19yo subject to multiple rejected bids from Liverpool. Dialogue continues @TheAthleticFC #LFC https://t.co/zPoConhzoL

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 9, 2023

Dialogue continues between Chelsea and Southampton with Todd Boehly’s side confident they can strike a deal for the Belgian international from under the noses of Liverpool- who they host in their Premier League opener on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.