Chelsea will have to fend off the likes of Atletico Madrid and AC Milan in the race to sign Angers forward Mohamed-Ali Cho, according to reports in the French media.

The 17-year-old, who spent five years in Everton’s academy, was first linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge at the start of last month but his performances are now attracting interest from other teams.

Cho was handed a call-up to France’s Under 21 squad in September after having a strong start to the season for Angers. He has started 10 of the Ligue One side’s 13 league matches so far this campaign, scoring goals against Rennes and Metz.

Due to Angers’ financial situation, they are expected to offload the teenager next summer, with the player having already hired a lawyer to work alongside his agent in anticipation of a potential move.

Cho will turn 18 in January but he is a British citizen so there will be no work permit issues. It’s likely that the striker would be loaned out anyway if he were to be snapped up by the Blues.