As the January transfer window heats up, Chelsea and Manchester United are set to battle over the signature of a highly-rated teenage defender that both clubs are keen on.
While Chelsea are currently frontrunners to sign Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet after reportedly agreeing personal terms, they are still eager to bring another youth prospect to Stamford Bridge.
According to Standard Sport, the Blues are closing in on a deal to sign 17-year-old left-back Yisa Alao from Sheffield Wednesday.
Man United are also eager to bring Alao to Old Trafford and have held negotiations with the Championship club.
However, Sportsnaut understand Liam Rosenior and Chelsea are increasingly confident of getting a deal done for the defender after breezing ahead of United in negotiations.
The initial fee expected to be paid to the English side for the exciting teenager is expected to be around £500,000, but add-ons could eventually see the total fee surpass the £1M ($1.3M) mark.
Chelsea could send Yisa Alao to Strasbourg if they win race to his signature
Chelsea currently have a youth-focused transfer strategy and it is likely that Alao would initially be sent to play for sister club Strasbourg Alsace in France.
According to reports, a bid of £450,000 for Yisa Alao by Manchester United is believed to have been rejected by Wednesday just before Christmas.
This rejection is deemed to have upped Chelsea’s chances of securing the youngster’s signing, coupled with their youth-centric policy which may appeal to the player.
Alao has been a breakthrough star for Sheffield Wednesday this season and played 60 minutes in their FA Cup defeat to Brentford earlier this month. He has also played five times for their first team in all competitions so far this term.
