Chelsea are reportedly confident that they will be able to fend off Arsenal and secure the signing of highly-rated youngster Ethan Ampadu.
Having made his first-team debut at the age of just 15, the defensive midfielder has continued to make progress and has featured for Wales at Under-19s level.
According to The Mirror, he could be on the verge of the biggest move of his career to date, with Chelsea hopeful of signing the Exeter City starlet in a deal worth £2m.
One of the biggest obstacles to the switch though will be the fact that Arsenal are also interested, and Ampadu’s father, Kwame, is an academy coach with the Gunners and so will undoubtedly hope to see his son join him in north London.
It’s claimed in the report that Ampadu caught Chelsea’s attention when they were given a chance to see him up close during a Checkatrade Trophy encounter last month, and his performance was enough for the club to place him on their transfer radar.
With both Arsenal and Chelsea now seemingly monitoring his progress, it will be interesting to see which club is able to appeal to him more and convince him that they are the best destination for his future.
Ampadu has made nine appearances in all competitions so far this season, and with his contract set to expire next summer, Exeter will be under growing pressure to get him to sign a new deal first and foremost before trying to fend off the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea to avoid one of their most prized assets leaving the club.