Chelsea “love” Southampton wonderkid Romeo Lavia and will pursue him in the summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The midfielder, who joined Southampton from Manchester City last summer for £14million, is reportedly valued at around £45million by Southampton.

Romano told GIVEMESPORT: “Romeo Lavia is a player Chelsea love. Chelsea have Joe Shields at the club, who is the director who signed Romeo Lavia for Manchester City’s Academy and then signed Romeo Lavia at Southampton.

“He’s the man who has built the career of Romeo Lavia, so it’s normal to have this kind of link. They are pursuing the player but it’s not the only option.”