Major blow for Liverpool as Romano confirms transfer target has agreed to join Chelsea instead

A Liverpool midfield target is now joining Premier League rival, Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds are in dire need of midfield reinforcements, with Thiago Alcantara and loanee Arthur Melo having been plagued by injuries throughout the campaign, and Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of contract in the summer.

In turn, Liverpool have been linked with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Enzo Fernandez and Konrad Laimer in recent months.

Meanwhile earlier this week the Times claimed that Jurgen Klopp’s side were among several teams interested in 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos.

However, it seems the Reds have been snubbed by Santos, who has instead opted to play for Premier League rival Chelsea.

Santos to Chelsea?

According to transfer guru Romano, Santos has opted to join Chelsea for £17.6million over Manchester City, Newcastle and Liverpool.

The journalist Tweeted: “Chelsea have full verbal agreement in place to sign Brazilian talent Andrey Santos, confirmed — final fee around €20m, personal terms agreed too. #CFC

“Chelsea & Vasco will now prepare documents. Born in 2004, Andrey will be part of Chelsea talents project. Here we go.”

Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over Chelsea in May, the club have targeted promising young players - a marked shift in their transfer strategy.

And Santos is certainly promising. He has thrived this season as a ball-winning central midfielder.

The teenager broke into the Vasco da Gama first team last year and has since made a big impression. This term Santos made 36 appearances in all competitions, netting eight times and winning four caps for Brazil’s Under-20s.

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