Chelsea are allegedly open to the possibility of signing a replacement for midfielder Romeo Lavia.
Having moved from Southampton for an initial £53m last year, Lavia is viewed as someone who can hold down a regular spot in the engine room when fit.
However, the Belgium international has suffered a number of injuries that have restricted him to just four appearances across a near 14-month period.
Just one substitute outing was made in 2023-24, and although Lavia started the opening Premier League fixture of this season, he has barely featured since.
The 20-year-old has only been used as a substitute against Servette in the Conference League playoff and as a late replacement in the Premier League showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of last month.
© Imago
Are Chelsea looking for Lavia alternative?
Possessing a contract until 2023, Lavia is likely to be given as much time as possible to see if he can shake off the constant fitness issues that has restricted his development.
Nevertheless, in the short term, Chelsea have effectively been managing their games with one midfielder out of the reckoning, allowing Cesare Casadei to earn more playing time than he perhaps expected at one stage.
With Lavia not involved in the Conference League main stage until at least Christmas and no longer first choice in the Premier League, it creates a scenario where a short-term move may be found in January.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the club's recruitment team have began to scout a player who could be viewed as an alternative to Lavia.
Representatives are said to have been present to watch Hellas Verona midfielder Reda Belahyane play against Venezia on Friday night.
The 20-year-old has made six starts and one substitute outings in Serie A this campaign, with the six starts coming in succession since an early substitute appearance versus Napoli on the opening weekend of the season.
© Imago
Who is Reda Belahyane?
Belahyane is a former France Under-18 international who spent the final years of his youth days with Ligue 1 outfit Nice.
Eight appearances were made for the first team, including five in France's top flight, but he was allowed to move to Verona in January 2024.
Although he barely featured during the second half of that campaign, his form this season has earned him a call-up to the Morocco squad for their fixtures over the international break.
Verona are in a strong position to retain his signature, though, with a contract in place until 2028.
Darren Plant
