David Ornstein confirms Romeo Lavia has made decision between Chelsea and Liverpool

David Ornstein has claimed Romeo Lavia has made a decision over whether to join Liverpool or Chelsea.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea have tabled several bids this summer for Lavia, who has not appeared in Southampton’s opening two games of the 2023-24 Championship season.

While the midfielder has four years left on his Southampton contract after joining from Manchester City last summer, he is expected to leave after the Saints were relegated from the Premier League last season.

And on Sunday night, Sky Sports News claimed that a total package had been agreed between Liverpool and Southampton, believed to be worth £60million.

However, according to transfer guru Ornstein, the Belgian star had opted to join Chelsea over the Reds, and there are unlikely to be any issues regarding an agreement.

A fee in the region of £50million plus add-ons is expected to seal the Belgian midfielder's transfer to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea faced competition from Liverpool for the Belgium international, however the Anfield side are said to be aware of Lavia's choice.

The 19-year-old will be following Moises Caicedo in snubbing an Anfield move for Stamford Bridge in the past 24 hours.

Caicedo is moving to Chelsea in a British record £115million deal, despite Liverpool having seen a £111million deal also accepted by Chelsea.

The Ecuador international reportedly expressed a preference to play for the west London team, who had pursued the 21-year-old for months.

Jurgen Klopp had allegedly identified Lavia as a potential replacement for Fabinho, after the Brazil international recently completed a £40million move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.

Chelsea and Liverpool drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in their opening fixture of the Premier League campaign.

It is proving to be another busy transfer window for Chelsea’s owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Back in January they brokered the British transfer record by signing Argentina international Enzo Fernandez for £106.8million.

And should deals for Caicedo and Lavia be concluded as expected it will bring the club’s spending under Boehly and Clearlake to over £900million since they purchased the club last May.

Topics: Romeo Lavia, Chelsea, Liverpool, Transfers, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.