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Romeo Lavia sends Southampton farewell message as Chelsea complete £58m transfer.
Romeo Lavia has bid farewell to Southampton fans on social media as he prepares for a move to Chelsea. This summer, there have been widespread rumours linking the 19-year-old midfielder with a transfer to Stamford Bridge, as Mauricio Pochettino seeks to bolster his midfield options.
In a heartfelt open letter posted on Instagram, Lavia expressed his gratitude: “To Saints Fans, as I say my goodbyes, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for everything you’ve given me during my time here.
“I’ve felt your love from day one, even though we didn’t achieve all our shared goals. I will never forget the belief the club and Saints supporters worldwide had in me, and I hope I was able to repay the trust you placed in me.
“I want to offer a special thanks to all my teammates and every staff member at the club, whether they were closely involved or not. From the day I arrived at Staplewood Campus, your support, daily efforts, and the help behind the scenes have made me a better person, athlete, and football player.
“You have all played a significant role in making my transition into professional football smoother. I will forever be grateful to all of you. That’s why this club will always hold a special place in my heart.
“I wish the club the best of luck this season, and I eagerly anticipate seeing Southampton return to the Premier League where it rightfully belongs very soon! Thank you, Saints. Roméo.”
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Reports suggest that Chelsea and Southampton have reached an agreement for the transfer of Lavia for a fee of £58 million.
This move comes after Southampton had previously accepted a higher offer from Liverpool for the talented young midfielder. However, Lavia, who is a former Brighton player, expressed his strong desire to join Chelsea, prompting Liverpool to shift their attention elsewhere. Following careful consideration, the Belgian international informed Liverpool on Monday afternoon that he also favored a transfer to Stamford Bridge.