Chelsea are keen on signing NK Kustosija defender Mikayil Faye, according to the Daily Mail.

The 18-year-old, who has already been nicknamed “The Monster” due to his height and physical presence, is being scouted by the Blues and a number of other top European teams.

Borussia Dortmund have also been keeping an eye on Faye’s development, while both Marseille and Stade de Reims have looked at securing his signature in previous transfer windows.

The Mail report that Kustosija are “expecting bids” from interested clubs this month so it appears likely that Chelsea will step up plans to sign the teenager very soon.

Faye only moved to Croatia back in February

Despite the aforementioned interest from teams in France, Faye made the surprise decision to join Croatian second-division outfit Kustosija from Diambars FC in Senegal just a few months back.

The defender signed a four and half year contract with Kustosija, and he has played 13 games, as well as scoring one goal, for his new club so far this campaign.

Unfortunately, Faye couldn’t prevent his team from finishing second from bottom. It means they will face Zrinski Jurjevac in a relegation playoff later this week.

Faye is a centre-back by trade

The Senegalese Under 17 international is usually deployed as a centre-half but he is left-footed so Kustosija have opted to use him as a left-back on occasion as well.

At 6ft 1, though, there is a feeling that Faye will end up playing most of his football in the middle of defence. Having such physicality at such a young age only bodes well for the future.

If he does make the switch to Stamford Bridge, it remains to be seen whether he would be placed in Chelsea’s development squad, or whether he would be sent out on loan to get more experience in senior football.