Wigan and Watford set to fight for talented teenager.
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Championship pair Wigan and Watford are both keen on signing highly-rated Chelsea youngster Nathaniel Chalobah on loan, according to the Daily Mirror.
The 18-year-old is regarded as a hot prospect for the future at Stamford Bridge, but looks unlikely to break into the club’s first-team at the moment, with plenty of vastly experienced players ahead of him in the pecking order.
Chalobah spent last season on loan with Watford, playing a crucial part in Gianfranco Zola’s side’s run to the Championship playoff final, and may be keen to return there again if possible.
However, it is thought that the Hornets are currently unwilling to meet his high wage demands, which could give Wigan the advantage as they have just offloaded Republic of Ireland international midfielder James McCarthy to Everton for £13m.
Latics boss Owen Coyle has managed to raid Manchester United for the loan signing of another exciting young midfielder in Nick Powell, but sees Chalobah as a more defensive option in the middle of the park, and an ideal replacement for the departing McCarthy.
The England Under-21 international had also been linked with loan moves to Premier League sides Sunderland Crystal Palace, though they never materialised.