Chelsea face competition from Premier League rivals for the highly-rated £25million teen

Chelsea have joined Crystal Palace in the race for Blackburn starlet Adam Wharton and will push the south London club in their quest to sign the highly-rated teenager. According to a report in The Sun, Chelsea sporting director Paul Winstanley has personally scouted Wharton and wants to bring him to Stamford Bridge. 

The Blues are monitoring the transfer market as they look to continue to invest in some of the best youngsters in the game. Blackburn's asking price for the 19-year-old is £25million Chelsea are willing to agree fee. They will also be happy to loan him back to the Championship side for the remainder of the 2023/2024 season. 

Rovers turned down an £18.5million bid from Palace this week, the fact that Chelsea has entered the race will allow them to flex their muscles and stand firm for their asking price for the midfielder.

Chelsea have spent over a billion pounds on their new squad but have a long-term plan of making the club sustainable, so attracting the best young players is top of their agenda. Crystal Palace meanwhile are expected to return with an improved bid for the midfielder before the transfer window shuts on Thursday evening.

The Blues are yet to make a January transfer signing despite being linked to the likes of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. 

Chelsea enjoying a good week

Mauricio Pochettino's side are enjoying a good week after reaching the League Cup final and were largely the better side when they took on high-flying Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night.

They have now not lost a home game since October and could go a point behind sixth-placed West Ham if they can take all three points against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.