Chelsea and Everton have been linked with Wigan Athletic’s Joe Gelhardt.
According to the Express, Chelsea are leading the race to sign Wigan Athletic youngster Joe Gelhardt but face competition from Premier League rivals Everton.
The report claims the Blues are happy to wait to sign him next summer as they currently undergo a transfer ban, while the Toffees want to bring him back to his native Liverpool.
Gelhardt has been dubbed the hottest prospect outside the Premier League in the report, with most of his promise coming for the England U17 side where he netted 12 goals in 15 games.
The 17-year-old made his senior debut for Wigan last season, and manager Paul Cook has been giving him more game-time this term as he already looks capable of competing at Championship level.
Gelhardt is predominantly a forward. He scored his first goal for the Latics in the recent encounter with Hull City, prompting several scouts to later monitor his progress.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard began his managerial career at Derby County last season and gave several youngsters such as Fikayo Tomori, Jayden Bogle, Harry Wilson and Mason Mount plenty of minutes.
The former England international has adopted a similar approach at Chelsea, and he seems to be setting his sights on adding more of the country’s best talents and developing them at Stamford Bridge.
Everton, meanwhile, harbour hopes of breaking into the top six and they would be wise to sign up young players with huge potential ahead of the Premier League’s leading clubs.
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