Manchester City set for sizeable windfall as Chelsea expected to seal deal for £50 million midfielder

Manchester City are set to pocket a sizeable sum of money as a result of Romeo Lavia’s expected transfer to Chelsea this summer.

The teenager became the latest midfielder to be subject to an intense transfer saga between Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea, with the two heavyweights having recently fought over the signature of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo is expected to complete a record-breaking £115 million move to Stamford Bridge after snubbing interest from Liverpool, despite the Merseyside club having agreed a transfer fee with Brighton.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were widely reported to have agreed a £60 million deal with Southampton to sign Romeo Lavia, however the Belgian midfielder – according to a report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein – has opted to join Chelsea.

Lavia moved to St Mary’s from Manchester City for an initial £10.5 million last summer, with the teenager featuring in 29 Premier League matches for the Saints during the previous campaign.

Manchester City’s agreement with Southampton included three significant clauses; mainly the insertion of a sizeable sell-on clause for the Sky Blues.

The 19-year-old’s Saints contract includes a 20% sell-on clause, meaning Manchester City are set to earn at least £10 million – amid the suggestion that Chelsea could finalise an agreement for £50 million plus add-ons.

Lavia has not featured in any of Southampton’s three matches so far this season, with the midfielder absent from the squad for matches against Gillingham in the Carabao Cup and a thrilling 4-4 draw with Norwich on Saturday.

The Belgian made 30 appearances for Manchester City’s EDS during his final season at the City Football Academy, and also made two first-team appearances in the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup.

Manchester City have added Croatian pair Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic to their first-team squad this summer, and also currently weighing up moves for Lucas Paqueta and Jeremy Doku.

The treble-winners have also earned notable money through player sales; including the departures of Riyad Mahrez, James Trafford and Shea Charles.

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