The 19-year-old, who has one senior cap for Belgium, has yet to undergo a medical at Stamford Bridge.

Last season, Lavia made 34 appearances across all competitions but could not prevent Saints from being relegated from the Premier League.

Liverpool also made a proposal for Lavia, who is poised to be the second target they lost to Chelsea after Moises Caicedo.

France is expected to join Chelsea. Crystal Palace Under-21 winger Olise
On Monday, Chelsea completed the purchase of Ecuador midfielder Caicedo, 21, for a cost of £100 million, which could grow to a British club record of £115 million.

Liverpool had a third bid for Lavia, thought to be over £46 million with add-ons, rejected by Southampton last week.

Lavia progressed through the Anderlecht youth system before joining Manchester City in 2020 after being seen at a competition in Belgium attended by Pep Guardiola.

The kid made just two professional games for City, in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, as he battled to break into the first squad, and he joined Saints in July 2022 for £10.5 million.

City is thought to have a buy-back option on Lavia that will take effect next summer.

Because of a sell-on clause, the Premier League champions will be entitled to 20% of the money earned by Southampton.