Chelsea have already seen one bid rejected for their N’Golo Kante successor, but are set to renew their interest in the coming transfer windows as they look to overhaul their midfield.
Both Kante and Jorginho are out of contract this summer, and recent reports have suggested that the Blues are no closer to agreeing an extension with either as it stands, with both players free to talk to clubs across Europe from January onwards.
London, United Kingdom. 23 November 2021. NGolo Kante of Chelsea FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League football match between Chelsea FC and Juventus FC. Credit: Nicolo Campo/Alamy Live News 2H7NKCB London, United Kingdom. 23 November 2021. NGolo Kante of Chelsea FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League football match between Chelsea FC and Juventus FC. Credit: Nicolo Campo/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
It has left Chelsea in need of midfield reinforcements despite the addition of Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei in the summer, and have reportedly turned their attentions to Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia once again.
The Blues saw a £50m bid for the Southampton man rejected just two months after he had moved to the South Coast side from Manchester City, and have since also added Joe Shields to their recruitment team, the man who took Lavia from the Cityzens to St Mary’s earlier in the summer.
Manchester, UK. 09th Apr, 2021. Romeo Lavia of Manchester City in Manchester, UK on 4/9/2021. (Photo by Conor Molloy/News Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa USA/Alamy Live News 2F7T8DH Manchester, UK. 09th Apr, 2021. Romeo Lavia of Manchester City in Manchester, UK on 4/9/2021. (Photo by Conor Molloy/News Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa USA/Alamy Live News
And his limited performances for the Saints have caught the eye, with the 18-year-old racking up seven appearances before picking up a hamstring injury that he has only just recovered from, scoring one goal in that time.
In doing so, he has multiplied his £10m transfer fee that Southampton shelled out in July, with his current valuation at £25m and the Blues offering twice as much as they scrambled for a midfielder in the dying days of the summer transfer window, though the bid was knocked back.