Chelsea are interested in bringing Lorient’s Eli Junior Kroupi and Manchester City’s prospect Nico O’Reilly to the Stamford Bridge on the last day of the winter transfer window.
The Blues have emerged as rivals to Bournemouth after they made an enquiry in recent weeks – as it is understood that West Ham’s bid on buying the French talent has fallen through.
Previously, the Hammers made an offer worth up to £30million for the League 2 player, while Bournemouth have had a more advanced position due to their proposal to leave the player on loan at his club for the rest of the season.
In the meantime, Chelsea have also enquired about Manchester City’s 19-year-old talent, Nico O’Reilly.
If the Blues finalise deals for both prospects, their spending on teenagers will exceed £300m since Todd Boehly became owner.
However, it is understood that the Citizens are unwilling to sell the English player, despite a busy winter transfer window.
Chelsea is set to make a late attempt to steal Bournemouth’s deal for Lorient’s Eli Junior Kroupi
The Blues have also made an enquiry Manchester City’s 19-year-old talent Nico O’Reilly
The reigning Premier League champions are still in negotiations with Porto over a transfer for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez, as talks were held over the weekend.
Kroupi has emerged as one of the top interests for big European clubs, with Tottenham following him for some time, delivering nine goals and two assists in the French second division this campaign.
The forward got into Lorient’s first-team aged 16, while already having four appearances for the France Under 19 national team.
Furthermore, Mail Sport understands that Ipswich are close to signing Chelsea’s 18-year old Somto Boniface. The England Under-18 left-back will be part of the first team squad at Portman Road.
Another Chelsea interest, O’Reilly, has featured in six games for Man City’s first team this campaign so far, scoring one goal against Salford City in the third round of the FA Cup in January.
The prospect regularly features on the Citizens bench, including yesterday’s devastating 5-1 loss against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
However, he has struggled for playing time in the last month, as he didn’t appear on the field in City’s previous four games.