Chelsea are lining up an offer for Middlesbrough midfielder Finn Cartwright, according to TEAMtalk.

The website claims that the Blues are likely to make a bid for the teenager in “the next few days” as they look to secure his signature before the transfer window closes on Friday night.

Cartwright made his first-team debut against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this month, becoming Boro’s second youngest-ever player at 16 years and 161 days old.

A number of other Premier League teams have also been linked with the youngster but it appears as if the Blues are the likeliest to make a formal approach.

Cartwright has been praised by Michael Carrick

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick knows a thing or two about being a midfielder at the highest level, having spent his career winning multiple trophies at Manchester United, and he has tipped Cartwright to make a name for himself after making his first senior appearance:

“He always looks like he’s got time on the ball and has trained with us a fair bit over pre-season. But I’m conscious of the age he’s at. He’s a great kid and he’s got great talent, so we want to try and get the best out of him.”

Cartwright has not featured in Boro’s four Championship games so far this campaign but, based on Carrick’s remarks, it appears he is poised to make an impact in the first-team sooner rather than later, if he stays at the Riverside Stadium.

Chelsea have already recruited a number of players for their academy this summer

The Blues have brought in Norwich’s Alex Matos, Benfica’s Diego Moreira and Everton’s Ishe Samuels-Smith to Cobham in recent months, while future prospects such as Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington have arrived from Brazil.

It would, therefore, not be surprising if the London club also manage to bring in Cartwright by deadline day as well.