Chelsea are reportedly targeting a talented starlet who was subject to a failed summer bid with additions looking to be made in the forthcoming weeks.
What’s the talk?
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Blues boss Graham Potter is enamoured with the club’s former target Romeo Lavia, who was the subject of an audacious £50m summer swoop having signed for Southampton from Manchester City in the very same transfer window.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Phillips said: “I think Lavia is probably going to be more likely than Álvarez because Chelsea did push and try and sign him on deadline day with a late offer. So, he’s the one to watch rather than Álvarez, I would say.”
With Chelsea indeed bidding £43m - unsuccessfully - for Edson Alvarez at the end of summer Lavia now seems to be the name ahead on the shopping list, and at just 18-years-old with Premier League experience under his belt, it's perhaps warranted that he is attracting greater intrigue at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s own Amrabat
There is a similar script for each passing World Cup, with football’s most coveted competition birthing stars into prominence each and every time.
Sofyan Amrabat is one of the latest names to shine on the major stage, playing an integral and industrious role for a historic Morocco team that finished fourth at the 2022 edition in Qatar - becoming the first African nation to ever reach the semi-finals of the international tournament.
Alvarez also impressed for a subpar Mexico side, with Sofascore recording his average rating at 6.95 in Qatar, but a shrewder approach for Lavia’s name could sow the seed for later rewards for Chelsea.
Lavia, who has made eight appearances for Saints since his summer arrival, emerged as a resounding success, instantly slotting into the starting line-up and impressing with a tenacity and assurance that belies his inexperience at professional level.
Having picked up a hamstring injury during his side’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League in September, the midfielder’s progress was put on hold; the Belgian star managed just two showings before the midseason break for the World Cup.
The “technically excellent” 18-year-old - as dubbed by Saints reporter Alfie House - scored a stellar strike in that match, stinging the Blues and bitterly reminding them of the talent that they so earnestly desire.
The teen has completed 88% of his passes thus far in England’s top-flight, making 1.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and winning 53% of his total duels - impressive statistics for a young star just starting out on the professional scene.
Those are numbers that are rather similar to the Morocco star, with the 26-year-old making 0.8 interceptions per game and 1.2 tackles in Serie A. They are battle-hardened from a defensive point of view while offering an element of composure and silkiness on the ball.
That's precisely what would make either one of them a good signing at the Bridge.
However, with Amrabat the talk of the town, Chelsea might be wise to steer clear of that avenue and maintain their interest in the £21.8m-rated maestro, having evidently thoroughly scouted the player.
If eventually successful in the pursuit, Potter would yield one of the division’s most promising young midfielders, a star already impressing for Southampton and capable of staking his claim for a starring role in west London for the distinguished outfit’s next chapter.