Chelsea have made a £48million bid including add-ons for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The Championship side have been holding out for £50m and rejected a £46m offer from Liverpool – their third bid – on Monday.
Southampton, who have agreed to sell James Ward-Prowse to West Ham for £30m, also anticipate interest from Manchester United.
A foreign side has also made tentative enquiries for the 19-year-old Belgian.
Southampton are confident in their valuation as they believe Manchester City are willing to trigger their buy-back clause of £45m which becomes active next summer.
Chelsea have bid for Romeo Lavia in bid to beat Liverpool in race for his signature
The Championship side have been holding out for £50m for the 19-year-old midfielder
Saints midfielder Lavia (L) is being actively pursued by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (R)
Chelsea need midfield re-inforcements and have been negotiating with Brighton for £105m-rated Moises Caicedo and are expected to offer £20m for Leeds United’s Tyler Adams.
The offer will be a test of Liverpool’s resolve too.
The Anfield club have been deliberating whether to improve their offer or switch sights to Fluminense midfielder Andre.
Lavia was left out of Southampton ‘s matchday squad for Tuesday’s EFL Cup match against League Two side Gillingham
Hewill be allowed to depart the club this summer if a buyer reaches the South Coast side’s £50m valuation, a fee that Liverpool have so far been unable to match .
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher labelled his former club as ’embarrassing’ for their so far failed pursuit of Lavia and called for them to either complete a deal or walk away rather than continue to negotiate a lower price.
