Chelsea are in the hunt for Fulham youngster Harvey Elliot after he has submitted some impressive displays at youth level, according to the London Evening Standard.
The newspaper claim that the Blues along with Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund are all aware of the latest promising talent to emerge from the Cottagers’ academy.
The London Evening Standard report that Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic admires the young midfielder’s talents but that the London club can’t discuss a scholarship deal with him until January nor can they get him to sign a professional contract until he is 17-years-old due to FA rules.
It is believed that Fulham hope the 15-year-old midfielder will be persuaded to stay at the club due to the success of fellow youth star Ryan Sessegnon who is currently experiencing Premier League football with his boyhood side.
OPINION
Chelsea may hold an advantage over the other clubs keeping their eye on the Fulham talent as he won’t have to move far if he opted to the join the Blues. However it’s doubtful that the Cottagers won’t put up a fight to stop one of their most promising youth talents jumping ship to their local rivals even if they don’t have much control over the situation. Fulham are at risk of losing Elliot due to the fact they can’t get him to pen terms due to his young age which means other clubs have a golden opportunity to poach his services. The midfielder isn’t due to turn 16 until next April and that means Fulham are going to be sweating. The Cottagers have had several promising talents emerge from their youth system as of late, with Sessegnon being the key example. Chelsea themselves do not shy away from acquiring the best youth talent on the market and they no doubt have the tools needed to lure Elliot to them if they so choose.