Blues eyeing youngster.

Chelsea are keen on signing £8m-rated Barcelona wonderkid Gerard Deulofeu, according to the Daily Express.

The 18-year-old, who was tracked by Liverpool during the summer, is only on a youth contract in Catalonia but is rated as one of the best prospects at the Nou Camp.

Deulofeu, who plays predominantly as a winger, is currently with Barcelona B but made his breakthrough last season for the senior team, appearing as a substitute in a 5-0 win over Real Mallorca.

But he has struggled to progress in the past year, slipping behind fellow academy product Cristian Tello in the pecking order and returning to the B set-up after David Villa’s return to fitness.

It is understood that the European Champions could buy the starlet out of his contract for around £8m and Deulofeu would consider the move to Stamford Bridge in order to get more first-team football.

Deulofeu has been inspired by the progress of Cesc Fabregas, who moved to Arsenal aged 16 and has returned to become a key part of the La Liga runners-up’s first team.

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