How Eden Hazard helped Chelsea beat Liverpool to Romeo Lavia transfer despite £60m agreement
Eden Hazard was in attendance at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season
Eden Hazard helps Chelsea sign Romeo Lavia despite Liverpool agreement (Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Eden Hazard appears to have played a major role in the race to sign Romeo Lavia. The 19-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea and Liverpool this summer following his impressive performances for Southampton last season.
Lavia, who sees his contract at St. Mary’s expire in 2027, featured 29 times for the Saints in the Premier League last season, missing a large chunk of the campaign due to a hamstring injury. Despite his eye-catching displays, he couldn’t steer the club clear of relegation from the English top-flight.
With Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp both eager to further bolster their midfield options this summer, the teenage sensation has been subject to several bids from either side. football.london understands that Lavia has now decided to join the Blues rather than the Reds.
It’s believed that Joe Shields was a key factor in the Belgian’s decision. football.london understands the Chelsea co-director of recruitment and talent has been a ‘prominent figure’ behind the scenes in negotiations with Lavia’s entourage.
Shields, who was once head of senior recruitment on the south coast, established a strong relationship with the youngster at Southampton. Now, Lavia looks set to follow Moises Caicedo through the door at Cobham training ground despite Liverpool having agreed a £60million deal with the Saints.
While Pochettino certainly owes Shields a drink, the Chelsea boss has Hazard to thank for his role in the transfer saga. According to the Express, Lavia spoke to the Blues legend about his time at Stamford Bridge prior to the World Cup in December.
The report states that Hazard ‘actively encouraged’ his fellow countryman to take the chance to join the west London outfit if the opportunity ever arose in the future. With Lavia on the verge of a move to Chelsea, the former Real Madrid star’s pep-talk seems to have paid off.
Following Southampton’s 4-4 draw with Norwich on Saturday afternoon, Russel Martin suggested that the race for Lavia is ‘eking slowly towards a conclusion’. The Saints boss said: “He has been great while his situation has rumbled on for a long time.
“That needs to draw to a conclusion quickly for him, for us and for everyone really. It’s eking slowly towards a conclusion and I think we have been preparing for life without him for the six weeks we’ve been here so it’s not a massive drama.”
Soucre: football.london
