Chelsea are leading Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Stoke City player Nathan Collins.
18-year-old Nathan Collins is seen as one of the most talented and promising youngsters outside of the Premier League.
The teenager made his first-team debut at the start of the campaign and has gone on to play 12 games for Stoke, who are currently 17th in the Championship.
Manchester United expressed interest in signing Nathan Collins last year but he ended up signing a new deal at Stoke as the club stalled over launching a transfer move.
The Red devils are still monitoring Collins’ situation ahead of the summer window, while Arsenal have scouted the Republic of Ireland U21 defender regularly this season.
MORE NEWS
- Deeney reveals Watford targeted United star Fred as a weakness
- Gary Cahill blasts former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri
But The Sun claim Chelsea are showing ‘strong interest’ in Collins and are currently at the front of the queue to secure his signing.
It is reported a number of Premier League sides believe Collins has the physical attributes to compete at the highest level despite his lack of experience.
Collins was named in Mick McCarthy’s Ireland team last summer but is yet to play for his country.
Chelsea look set for a spending spree this summer if the coronavirus pandemic settles down and Frank Sinclair says his former team need to strengthen in two areas.
‘There are two obvious positions in which Chelsea need to improve their squad – left back and a striker,’ ex-Chelsea defender Sinclair told GentingBet.
‘Both left backs this season, Emerson and [Marcos] Alonso, haven’t really grasped that position and played a lot of games consistently.
‘Lampard will also need to address the centre forward situation at the club.
‘Tammy Abraham has been excellent, but he has really had to carry the baton on his own all season.’
