Romeo Lavia in London to join Chelsea as Liverpool scramble for the Southampton midfielder

Chelsea are closing in on the signing of midfielder Romeo Lavia.

According to Sacha Tavolieri, the Belgian holding midfielder is in London to complete the deal and has held a get-together to celebrate the move to the Blues.

Chelsea will work on finalising the transfer in the coming hours to allow the player to complete his medical and sign on the dotted line.

However, the Guardian claim Liverpool have now agreed a £60 million fee with Southampton for the 19-year-old. 

Liverpool will be desperate to land Lavia as they need a holding midfielder after losing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho this summer.

They have also missed out on Moises Caicedo, who is on his way to Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth £115 million.

Chelsea director Joe Shields played a crucial role in convincing Lavia to move to Stamford Bridge.

Shields knew Lavia from Manchester City and brought him to Southampton last summer.

Shields joined Chelsea and has been keen to reunite with the midfielder in London. He is close to securing his wish with the player close to joining.

Liverpool may now need to focus all their efforts on Andre from Fluminense.

Chelsea went into the summer transfer window needing defensive midfielders and are now close to securing two of the most exciting talents in that position.

They have needed a defensive midfielder for years, and Mauricio Pochettino reiterated the need for one or two this summer. 

Chelsea must now conclude a few departures. One name on the market is Cobham Academy graduate Conor Gallagher.

New signing Lesley Ugochukwu may head out on loan for the season, while rumours suggest they will keep Andrey Santos, who has impressed Pochettino. 

Chelsea must sell other fringe stars such as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and possibly Trevoh Chalobah.