Author: Chandra Moulee Das
Chelsea have finalized the signing of Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton, securing his services for an initial fee of £53 million. The 19-year-old signed a seven-year contract with possible additional earnings of up to £5 million based on performance-related add-ons.
Although Liverpool have also expressed an interest in Lavia, their third offer, which reportedly amounted to around 46 million pounds including add-ons, was also recently turned down by Southampton. Lavia’s decision to join Chelsea marks the second time this week that the club has been preferred to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, following the transfer of Moises Caicedo from Brighton for an incredible 100 million pounds, potentially reaching a British record sum of 115 million pounds.
Klopp strengthened his midfield line by signing Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart on Friday, a reinforcement alongside new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. The 30-year-old Japanese player signed a four-year contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2027, in a deal worth £16.2 million.
On the other hand, Newcastle United have reached an agreement to acquire Lewis Hall from Chelsea on an initial loan deal, with an option to buy next summer. The terms involve an eventual transfer fee of 28 million pounds, plus 7 million pounds in additional add-ons. This deal for Hall, who was trained at the academy, includes a clause for Chelsea to receive a percentage of any future transfer fee should he leave Newcastle.
Recognized mainly for his proficiency as a left-back, the 18-year-old England Under-21 international has also shown his skills at full-back and in midfield during his tenure at Stamford Bridge. Remarkably, Hall amassed 11 appearances in various competitions for Chelsea last season, a remarkable feat that includes nine Premier League appearances, which earned him the distinction of the club’s Academy Player of the Year for 2023.