Chelsea tried to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia on deadline day, submitting a £50 million proposal, it has been revealed.
The youngster departed Manchester City this summer to join the Saints and has been impressive towards the start of the Premier League season.
The Blues were previously linked to Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez but the Dutch club weren't keen to allow the Mexican to leave so late in the window.
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Therefore, Chelsea set their sights on a previously unnamed player, with a proposal being rejected.
Denis Zakaria instead joined the club late in the day, arriving on a loan deal from Juventus with an option to buy.
Speaking on deadline day, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea had submitted a £50 million bid for an unknown midfielder.
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This was turned down, with the player not belonging to a team in the Champions League. The proposal was rejected as they wished to keep the star.
The journalist stated that he would reveal the identity of the player, with it now being revealed as Lavia from Southampton.
Romano wrote: "Behind the scenes. Chelsea wanted to sign Romeo Lavia on Deadline Day with £50 million verbal proposal rejected by Southampton — of course, he’s untouchable.
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"Southampton invested £12m plus add-ons for Lavia — and Man City have £40m buy back clause."
Lavia netted against the Blues in Southampton's 2-1 win, striking from outside the box before the end of the transfer deadline.
It is unclear as to whether this was when the interest emerged or if Chelsea have had their eye on Lavia previously.
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The Blues are set to return for Alvarez in January, as talks with Ajax are expected to resume.
It remains to be seen as to whether a move for Lavia could occur in the future, with the 18-year-old interesting Tuchel's side on deadline day.
The youngster is currently sidelined through injury but could be one to watch for the future.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Southampton, Romeo Lavia, Manchester City, Football, Premier League
Nick Emms