09 June 2023 , 09:41
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Chelsea look set to move for their first major summer transfer target, with the Blues reportedly having opened talks for a deal to sign Southampton's Romeo Lavia
Lavia was part of a relegated Southampton side last season, but the 19-year-old impressed during his first campaign at senior level having joined from Manchester City for a reported £10 million last summer. He has a buy-backclause with the English champions, but this will only come into effect next season, with City having to spend £40 million to secure the re-signing.
This leaves Chelsea with the opportunity to seal his transfer, with a bid in the region of £40million expected to be sufficient to secure his signature. He is expected to be targeted alongside Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, with a midfield rebuild required amid the expected departures of N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
Football.London report Chelsea have opened talks for a deal to sign Lavia, with negotiations not expected to impact upon a potential deal to sign Caicedo. The Brighton midfielder could cost in the region of £75 million, meaning that players may have to be offloaded to ensure that the Blues can comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
This leaves Kante and Kovacic as the two likely candidates to depart from midfield, with the former reported to have accepted a £172 million offer to play in Saudi Arabia ahead of his Chelsea contract expiring later this month.
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Kovacic is also likely to leave, with the Croatian linked with a move to potentially become Ilkay Gundogan's replacement at Manchester City. According to the Guarian, terms have been agreed for Kovacic to join City, with the 29-year-old having already hinted at his departure.
"I have one year left on my contract with Chelsea. It's been a really bad season." Kovacic said last month. "Everything indicates that after five years I will change the environment, but we will see what happens."
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Mateo Kovacic is expected to leave the club this summer. ((Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images))The Blues have already made steps this summer to strengthen their midfield ranks for the long-term, with 16-year-old Ecuadorian Kendry Paez confirmed to have agreed a contract to join the club from his 18th birthday.
However, there is the need for immediate strengthening, given the fact that Mason Mount is also heavily linked with a move away as he enters the final year of his contract. Chelsea are believed to be pushing for a £75 million deal, although leading candidates Man United are thought to value the 24-year-old at closer to £55 million.
Pochettino starts work with Chelsea officially on July 1st, but he will have already begun plotting his squad and how they wish to play. Meetings are thought to have taken place regarding summer business, with up to 12 players set to leave as part of an extensive squad overhaul following a disappointing 12th placed finish this season.