Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to sign Danubio wonderkid Joaquin Ardaiz, with Manchester United and Manchester City also in the race to sign the Uruguayan.
The Sun have reported that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is interested in bringing Danubio wonderkid Joaquin Ardaiz over to Stamford Bridge. The Uruguayan has been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Barcelona as well. But, it seems the Blues are current favourites to land the striker.
As per the report, Joaquin’s agent, Englishman Nick Maytum is looking to get the player to Europe and preferably England. Maytum is reportedly looking to get the player to move to England, with London his top priority, while the Manchester duo remain interested in the striker.
Apart from the aforementioned trio of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon are the other two European clubs showing interest in the striker. But, as mentioned, his agent is prioritising a move to England, which all but renders the potential of the player joining the latter two clubs to almost nil.
Joaquin Ardaiz impressed everyone while progressing through the youth levels at Danubio, Edinson Cavani’s former club and is currently back on loan at Danubio after being sold to Tanque Sisley for a nominal fee. The 18-year-old has started his professional career with aplomb at Danubio, with 3 goals and 2 assists in 10 league appearances this season.
The loan deal is set to end in the summer of 2017, which is when the aforementioned suitors are looking to move for the player, who is reportedly valued around the £25 million mark. Uruguayan forwards have made quite a splash in the European scene in the recent years, with Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan prime examples.
Chelsea themselves are looking to add strikers to their squad in the summer with Diego Costa’s future in doubt and Michy Batshuayi’s being unable to grasp the situation and impress Antonio Conte much. Sergio Aguero has been linked with an exit from the Etihad, which, if it happens, makes the addition of a striker one of the summer priorities for Manchester City.
Manchester United have a finely ageing Zlatan Ibrahimovic upfront. But, one has often seen the vast difference in displays of players in the Premier League in the gap of a year and in case the same happens with the Swede, Mourinho wants a long-term replacement in place, despite Marcus Rashford’s emergence and undeniable potential.
It would be interesting to see if Joaquin Ardaiz’s agent is able to get the player over to Europe and if he does end up making it happen, the Premier League might just be treated to another Uruguayan striker running rampant.
