Romeo Lavia is once again out of action for Chelsea, but he could have left Stamford Bridge months ago if a rival Premier League club had been willing to take him.
Chelsea had a busy summer that saw many players depart, but one player you wouldn’t have expected to be on offer was the talented 21-year-old.
Lavia has been hampered by injuries since joining Chelsea two seasons ago, and it seems the club is running out of patience.
Chelsea fans have begun calling for harsh Lavia conversations after this most recent misfortune that will see him sidelined once more.
Well, those harsh conversations were already being had in the summer, as Chelsea were looking to use Lavia as a makeweight in their pursuit of another young talent.
Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty ImagesChelsea offered Romeo Lavia to Man United for Alejandro Garnacho
Chelsea were biding their time all summer when it came to Alejandro Garnacho, but that may have had something to do with the conditions they were attempting to negotiate with United.
ESPN have revealed that the Blues’ efforts were in vain.
The report states: “United rejected Chelsea’s offer of Romeo Lavia as part of the deal that saw Alejandro Garnacho move to Stamford Bridge, ultimately for £40 million, due to concerns over the 21-year-old’s fitness record.”
Chelsea weren’t just willing to part ways with Lavia. They were ready to take a substantial loss, judging by what Garnacho eventually went for.
🚨🔵 BREAKING: Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea, here we go! Deal done between #CFC and Man United.
Garnacho only wanted Chelsea and will sign seven year deal at the club for fee close to £40m package.
Story from July, confirmed. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/TMHTkA9JM8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2025
View Tweet
Lavia cost Chelsea £58 million from Southampton, but the Belgian appears to be running out of credit with the decision-makers at the club. Chelsea plan on signing a midfielder regardless of Lavia’s availability.
Garnacho for Lavia as a trade
Both 21, Lavia and Garnacho have a long career ahead of them.
Lavia has not followed the trajectory we were expecting when he arrived, instead spending vast amounts of time on the sidelines with one injury or another.
Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
On the other hand, the ex-United man is quite reliable. He has missed just 14 games over the course of his career, all from one ankle injury back in 2023.
From a talent perspective, it’s also tough. Garnacho certainly brims with potential and has started looking more assured in a blue shirt. His availability is a massive plus, and the £40 million fee could end up being a steal.
Lavia, too, has reams of quality. His big issue, and evidently Chelsea’s, is that he can’t stay fit. He may be more of a natural talent than Garnacho, and he may well break this cycle of injuries, but at this current moment, you’d have to value the Argentinian that bit more.