Chelsea have opened talks for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

Blues owner Todd Boehly is seeking to steal a march on Manchester United for the £50million-rated Belgian.

The Blues were linked with the Saints starlet last summer only to fail with their initial approach, but the American billionaire is not giving up in his attempts to capture the highly-rated youngster.

According to transfer reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Chelsea held a meeting in Belgium this week with Lavia's representatives to discuss a potential move.

It is claimed that the west London club are 'intensely pressing' ahead with negotiations to try and snap up Lavia before other clubs become involved.