Pochettino closes in on first Chelsea transfer after Hazard intervention

06 June 2023 , 09:56

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Pochettino closes in on first Chelsea transfer after Hazard intervention

Chelsea are eyeing a deal for Romeo Lavia as Mauricio Pochettino plots his summer recruitment.

The Argentine, who first began his time in English football with Southampton, is looking to raid his former club after their relegation. Lavia was a rare bright light for the Saints, who looked doomed for much of the campaign, and the teenager has long been expected to move on.

Chelsea had a £50m bid rejected last summer but, as they look set to lose out on Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte, they have targeted Lavia once more, as per the Daily Express. The Blues have remain in dialogue with the player's representatives despite their failed attempts at signing him 12 months ago.

Those in west London even attempted to sign Lavia back in January with co-owner Todd Boehly verbally pitching a deal that would've seen him sign for Chelsea, but spend the remainder of the season at Southampton. That offer was rejected but, even after the change in the dugout, Lavia remains a target with a £45m move now on the cards.

The teenager has been capped by the Belgian national side, which has allowed him to cross paths with Eden Hazard. The playmaker previously played at the Blues for seven years, producing the best football of his career at Stamford Bridge, and Hazard has talked up the prospect of moving to Chelsea.

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Pochettino is looking to put his stamp on the squad ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window. Huge investment has been made over the past 12 months, albeit with little success, and it has left the club with a huge squad.

Romeo Lavia has impressed despite Southampton's relegation (Getty Images)

Big names are likely to be moved on, whilst some will come in. Chelsea are heavily stacked in midfield which has cast doubt over the futures of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Mount's contract is winding down and Manchester United are closing in on a deal.

Pochettino has identified several replacements which, alongside Lavia and Ugarte, include Brighton's Moises Caicedo. The midfielder pushed for a move away from the Amex in January, but ended up staying put and penning a new deal with the Seagulls now in Europe.

Brighton are keen on Levi Colwill, another player who Pochettino will want to cast his eye over, with the defender impressing on the south coast. The Seagulls are keen on a permanent deal, but Chelsea have already rejected an offer.

Samuel Meade