Chelsea have made enquiries about Sporting Lisbon winger Marcus Edwards, according to the Daily Telegraph‘s Matt Law.

The journalist claims that “checks” were made on the 24-year-old a few weeks ago. He is a player that manager Mauricio Pochettino knows well, having seen him come through the academy when he was head coach of Tottenham.

It is believed that Pochettino had nicknamed the player “Mini Messi”, which is certainly a huge compliment, so it is not a surprise that he would be interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge.

Edwards is coming off the back of a good season with Sporting, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in 51 appearances. He can also play right across the front three which would fit the profile of the versatile forward that the club are looking for ahead of the transfer window closing.

Edwards is likely to be a backup plan

From the sound of things, Chelsea haven’t followed up their initial enquiry for the former England youth international, so that would suggest that the Blues are prioritising other targets at this stage.

After failing to land Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, the club have considered a number of other options. They also looked at Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson and Lyon’s Bradley Barcola before cooling their interest in those two players too.

Chelsea have 3 other forward targets

In addition to those names, it is believed that the Blues have contemplated moves for the likes of Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe as well as Barcelona pair Ferran Torres and Raphinha.

All three are bit-part players at their current teams. Smith Rowe has not got off the bench in the Premier League so far this campaign, Torres has had to make do with substitute appearances, while Raphinha has not played after being sent off in Barca’s first league fixture.