Southampton, Saints, Ruben Selles, Romeo Lavia, Premier League
Journalists Fabrizio Romano and Alfie House have shared some very interesting news out of Southampton involving summer signing Romeo Lavia.
The Lowdown: Lavia shines for Southampton…
The transfer window acquisition from Premier League champions Manchester City enjoyed a fine start to his St Mary’s career before picking up an injury recently.
As per WhoScored, Lavia already ranks in Southampton’s top five performers by match rating, and at just 18 years of age, he averages an impressive 88.4% pass accuracy per 90 – better than any Saints player with five league starts or more.
The teenage talent has also made their joint-most interceptions per 90 in that time (WhoScored), leaving little wonder as to why he’s been likened to City legend Fernandinho for his tenacious tackling and composure in midfield
The Latest: Journalists share big Lavia reveal…
According to journalists Romano and House (Daily Echo), Chelsea actually tried to snap up the Belgian from Southampton in a last-minute deadline day move, having seen him score against the Blues in their 2-1 defeat at St Mary’s recently.
The London giants even offered £50m for the midfield gem but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side rejected their late advances.
The Verdict: Head-turning…
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has certainly been making noise in the transfer market but this murmur could be the most head-turning one yet.
Offering £50m outright for Lavia, who had just moved to the south coast, is arguably a strange move given that they could have swooped for the starlet whilst he was still at Manchester City.
Indeed, from Chelsea’s point of view, we believe that this makes little sense and smacks of having no real transfer strategy. Southampton were quite right to tell them no.
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