Chelsea ‘made £50m deadline day bid’ for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia… who Saints signed from Man City this summer for just £12m

Chelsea made a late £50million transfer deadline day bid to sign Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, according to reports.

The Blues have had a frantic summer under new owner Todd Boehly and ended up spending £260m in total.

Wesley Fofana signed in the days leading up to the window closing for £70m, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined on deadline day.

Earlier in the summer, Marc Cucurella and Raheem Sterling were also added in big money moves.

That spending could have gone north of £300m had they got another deal over the line on deadline day.

The Athletic report that a £50m proposal was turned down by the Saints as they want to keep him for the 2022/23 season.

Lavia was only signed by Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side earlier in the summer from Man City for a mere £12m.

He is a highly-regarded holding midfielder and is already impressing, while City also have the option to buy him back from Southampton.

The 18-year-old only made his debut at the start of the season, in a 4-1 loss to Tottenham, and has made five Premier League appearances so far.

Even though they could have cashed in on him for a huge profit, Southampton resisted attempts from Chelsea on Thursday.