Chelsea are one of 10+ teams pursuing Monaco winger Malamine Efekele, according to Foot Mercato.
The 19-year-old, who has been described as the “next Kylian Mbappe” by some in the media, is attracting interest from teams in England, Germany, France and Spain.
Efekele hasn’t made his senior debut yet, although he has been an unused substitute on five separate occasions this season already.
Foot Mercato claim that, despite his lack of first-team appearances, clubs are “ready” to make offers, with “each crazier than the last”.
At the moment, Monaco are determined to keep hold of Efekele but, if Chelsea or another team put a bid on the table that it is too good to turn down, a sale may still happen.
There are some striking similarities to Mbappe
Both players came through the youth team at AS Bondy, where Mbappe’s father, Wilfrid, coached. After a brief stay at INF Clairefontaine, Efekele then joined Monaco, where he has come through the ranks as a right winger.
Clubs, including Chelsea and Valencia, have kept an eye on the forward‘s development for a number of years, but interest in the player has grown exponentially as he nears his first appearance at senior level.
Chelsea have good relations with Efekele’s club
It should be noted that the Blues have signed Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi from Monaco over the last year, and the London club do have some close contacts due to Lawrence Stewart.
Chelsea’s co-sporting director spent three years in the Ligue One side’s recruitment department so he will know all the main people in the board room personally.
Stewart is also likely to be the one leading the Blues’ pursuit of Efekele, as he would have been aware of the player coming through Monaco’s youth ranks.
