Liverpool transfer news: Absolute sadness for Klopp with second Liverpool target 'very close' to Chelsea after £55m breakthrough

In Liverpool transfer news, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Chelsea have finally met Southampton's £50m asking price for Lavia. It comes after they also derailed Liverpool's attempts to sign Caicedo in a British record transfer.

Liverpool and Chelsea have both been looking at Caicedo and Lavia this summer. Recently, Brighton accepted a bid from Liverpool for Caicedo, but the midfielder made it clear he wants to join Chelsea, who are preparing to match their offer.

And now, Chelsea have beaten Liverpool to the meeting of Southampton's demands for Lavia.

In other Liverpool transfer news, Tavolieri explains, the Blues have prepared a five-year contract for the Belgium international, which would also include an option for a sixth season at Stamford Bridge.

TEAMtalk has been told that Southampton are saying the deal with Chelsea for Lavia is 'very close' – and the fee is actually more towards £55m.

Chelsea already tried to sign Lavia last summer, even though he had only just joined Southampton from Manchester City. After suffering relegation from the Premier League, Southampton have been preparing for interest in the teenager again.

It is not impossible, according to Tavolieri, that Liverpool will now try to hijack Chelsea's bid for Lavia. Unlike Caicedo, his preference is believed to be the move to Merseyside.

In other Liverpool transfer news, Liverpool have only offered £45m for Lavia so far, while Chelsea have now raised their recent £48m offer by the necessary few million to tempt Southampton.

Lavia should be under contract on the south coast until 2027, but it is now becoming increasingly likely for him to step immediately back up to the Premier League.

While Chelsea have made significant progress, Sky Sports News warns that Liverpool will hold further talks of their own with Southampton.

In other Liverpool transfer news, after selling Fabinho to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq, Jurgen Klopp is in desperate need of a new defensive midfielder for his Liverpool squad.