Chelsea will renew their efforts to sign Barcelona starlet Pau Cubarsi with a number of Premier League clubs eager to sign the defender.
Cubarsi, 17, made his senior debut for the Catalan giants in January, making a further three La Liga starts in recent weeks with his emergence one of the success stories in what has been a bleak start to 2024 for the club.
The centre-half only signed his first professional contract with Barcelona last year but his progress in the senor side has underlined the need for the club to agree a new deal.
Cubarsi’s current contract at the Camp Nou has a release clause set a paltry £8.5millon
While Barcelona have initiated talks over an improved deal, the teenage star is now being targeted by Premier League sides, ESPN report.
Mundo Deportivo claim Chelsea are among them. While the Blues are suffering on the pitch, the club have set about snapping up some of the brightest young stars in football with Ecuadorian starlet Kendry Paez among those signing long-term deals.
The Spanish publication reports Chelsea were interested in signing Cubarsi before he signed that first professional deal with Barcelona last summer.
The Blues remain interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge. Manchester City were also among the sides interested in the Spanish youngster last year.
Barcelona boss Xavi recently revealed he will step down as head coach at the end of the season but regards Cubarsi as a huge talent.
He has made six appearances under the Barcelona and Spain legend, including league starts against Real Betis, Osasuna and Alaves.
‘We were joking about him the other day because at just 17 he already seems like a veteran,’ Xavi said after last weekend’s 3-1 win over Alavés.
‘He is already playing like a player who is far older than his years. He is aggressive, he does not lose possession and he’s so good at bringing the ball out from the back.’
