Chelsea move closer to deal for Premier League midfielder

Chelsea return to Premier League action when they welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. 

The Blues weren’t in action over the weekend as Manchester United, who they were due to be facing, had an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion to contend with.

Interim Chelsea boss Frank Lampard will be looking for his first win since returning to the club last month, with the former Everton boss having so far watched his side lose all four games since he took charge.

Despite what has already been a disastrous season for the club so far, it appears that owner Todd Boehly is once again set to spend big when the transfer window reopens this summer.

According to Football Insider, the London club are closing in on a deal to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

The report claims that Chelsea have made the Belgian their top target for the upcoming window and hope to beat other Premier League clubs to his signature.

Lavia, 19, joined The Saints from Manchester City’s academy last summer, and has enjoyed a fine debut season on the south coast.

The midfielder has made 28 appearances across all competitions, and was also handed his senior international debut last month.

It is claimed that Chelsea have been interested in the player since last year, and talks between the club and the midfielder’s representatives are said to be ongoing.

City do have a buy-back clause that was included as part of the deal to sell Lavia last summer, but it doesn’t become active for another 12 months.

The report claims that, regardless of whether or not Southampton are relegated at the end of the season, a deal for Lavia would cost in the region of £45 million.

Since taking charge of the club last year, Boehly has splashed more than £500 million on 15 new signings, although he has been criticised for his running of the club following the team’s dismal run of form.