Next stop Chelsea as talented defender all set to agree FREE move to Stamford Bridge

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.

We have been linked with some big names over the past few weeks, and  fans are hoping for some big time players to arrive, but we will also be keeping an eye out for some of the best talents in the game.

Mbuyamba moved to the Nou Camp last summer from MVV Maastricht in his homeland but has not got the kind of game time that he had been hoping for, with his representative confirming he is already looking to continue his development.

Mbuyamba is frustrated at playing just three Uefa Youth League games for Barca this season And the Daily Mail say we want the Dutchman to develop his career with them.

The report suggests that we are willing to offer Mbuyamba a nice four-year contract to make the move to London, with Frank Lampard seeking to add some defensive quality to the back-line.

According to the agent of the 18-year-old centre-half Mbuyamba, who has been compared to a young Virgil van Dijk, we are leading the chase to complete a potential deal in the coming windows.

“Almost all major clubs in Europe have asked about Xavier,” Barros recently told Voetbal International

“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.”

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