Chelsea are confident they can fend off Arsenal’s interest to complete the signing of Welsh starlet Ethan Ampadu
According to The Mirror, Chelsea will shell out £2 million for the highly-rated youngster, despite reported interest from Arsenal.
Ampadu, who is a product of the Exeter City academy, made his debut aged just aged 15 years against Brentford in a League Cup match, becoming Exeter City’s youngest ever player and breaking a record set by Arsenal legend Cliff Bastin – who set the record all the way back in 1928.
Ampadu was also nominated for a man of the match award in that game, and has since gone on to make at total of 9 appearances for The Grecians.
Ampadu has also featured for both the Wales U-17 and U-19 teams, despite being aged just 16.
At 5″9, the youngster still has a lot of time to grow physically and many see the defensive midfielder as a key part of both Exeter and Wales’ futures.
EXETER, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 28: Ethan Ampadu of Exeter City during the Pre Season Friendly match between Exeter City and Cardiff City at St James Park on July 28, 2016 in Exeter, England. (Photo courtesy Harry Trump/Getty Images)
The biggest obstacle that Chelsea face when it comes to signing Ampadu is the fact that Arsenal are also interested, and Ampadu’s father, Kwame, is an academy coach with the Gunners and should they choose to strongly pursue their reported interest, that will go a long way to convincing Ampadu to pick the Gunners over the Blues.
Ampadu’s current deal with Exeter reportedly expires in the summer, so while Exeter will be desperate to tie down the Welsh youngster to a new deal, this could also encourage Arsenal and Chelsea to step up their interest in the youngster.
Ampadu, who was born in Exeter, is also eligible to play for England, Ireland and Ghana. Ampadu is currently playing for Wales as his mother is Welsh.
