Chelsea and Liverpool are ‘monitoring’ Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia ahead of a potential summer move.
Lavia as caught the eye at Southampton this season with the midfielder an impressive performer despite the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League.
Chelsea have a long-standing interest in Lavia and made an approach to sign the 19-year-old last summer, just weeks after the Belgian had signed for Southampton in a £12.5m deal from Manchester City.
According to the Times, Liverpool have now joined the race for the midfielder as Jurgen Klopp looks for additions to overhaul his midfield, following the confirmed exits of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of the season.
Manchester United have also been linked with Lavia and Southampton are braced for bids this summer.
The Saints view the teenager – who made his Belgium debut in March – as their most valuable asset due to his age and potential and, according to the report, could demand a fee in excess of £40m.
Manchester City inserted a clause into the sale of Lavia last summer that allows them to match any offer, but have no plans at present to bring the youngster back to the Etihad.
