CHELSEA have launched a shock £48million bid to beat Liverpool to Romeo Lavia.
Southampton want £50m for the Belgium midfielder, 19, after reportedly rejecting “multiple” offers from Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
But The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed the Blues are pressing hard for Lavia.
The relegated Saints realise keeping him is a losing battle.
And Lavia’s departure would be a double blow as West Ham close on Southampton’s England midfielder James Ward-Prowse.