Chelsea are reportedly close to signing 18-year-old ex-Barcelona centre-back Xavier Mbuyamba – dubbed the ‘next Virgil van Dijk’ – on a free transfer.
The highly-rated Dutchman joined Barcelona from MVV Maastricht last summer but has now left the Nou Camp and will look to continue his development elsewhere.
Mbuyamba trained with Chelsea last year but they couldn’t follow up on their interest because he was contracted to Barcelona.
Mbuyamba is frustrated at playing just three Uefa Youth League games for Barca this season.
And the Daily Mail say Chelsea wantthe Dutchman to develop his career with them.
The starlet’s representative, Carlos Barros, told Voetbal International earlier this year: “Almost all major clubs in Europe have asked about Xavier.
“Real Madrid are also there, they are serious about their youth system, but that would of course be a sensitive switch.
“Juventus and Inter are interested, as are top clubs from Germany and England. Chelsea have the best papers. Of course we discussed this extensively last year.
“Chelsea gave a fantastic presentation. There is a unique football atmosphere there. You immediately sit with the first-team players during lunch and the club has outlined a very ambitious plan for Xavier.
“They really think that in one to two years, he can be in the first team. Frank Lampard has of course already proven that he is not afraid to play with young players. Being in the starting line-up at Chelsea at the age of 20 would, of course, be great.”
