Southampton ready to beat Watford for Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chalobah.
With Sky Sports reporting that the Blues are on the verge of completing a deal for Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco for just under £40m, Chalobah fears his first team opportunities will be limited at Stamford Bridge in 2017/18.
Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko celebrates scoring their third goal
The 22-year-old did make his senior debut under Antonio Conte last season and managed 15 appearances in all competitions in total, but the arrival of Bakayoko would certainly reduce his chances.
Chalobah is also about to enter the final year of his current contract in West London and the Hornets quickly became favourites to sign the player who spent the 2012/13 campaign on loan with them.
However, the Saints are hoping their history of developing youngsters will convince the England Under-21 international to join them instead, as they enter the race late on for his signature.
Chalobah came through the ranks at Chelsea, but has spent the majority of his career there away from the club, with the 2016/17 season the first since being promoted from the academy in 2012 that he wasn’t sent out on loan.
Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chalobah in action with Brentford’s Ryan Woods
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
