Chelsea are reportedly in advanced talks to sign PSG starlet Kays Ruiz-Atil, who is also a transfer target for La Liga heavyweights Barcelona.
According to a report form Transfer Market Web, Premier League giants Chelsea are well-positioned to clinch the signing of Paris Saint-Germain youngster Kays Ruiz-Atil, who is also being pursued by Barcelona.
Ruiz-Atil, 18, has been with PSG since 2015, whom he joined after a six-year stint at Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy. Having risen through the ranks at the French capital outfit, the central midfielder broke into the first-team this season under former manager Thomas Tuchel, going on to make seven appearances.
However, Ruiz-Atil has been frozen out of the first-team picture since the turn of the year after he and PSG failed to come to an agreement over a new contract. Currently training with the reserves, the 18-year-old will his existing deal run out at the end of the ongoing campaign and is all set for a free transfer when that happens.
This has prompted interest from several clubs across Europe, with Chelsea among those looking to snap up the teenager. The Blues have always shown propensity to sign up promising youngsters from across Europe and while those players were usually farmed out on loan season after season until they eventually left the club, things have changed over the past couple of years.
The likes of Mason Mount, Reece James, Tammy Abraham have all gone on to successfully make the grade from the academy to the first-team while the likes of Billy Gilmour, Tino Anjorin are some more among many others waiting in the wings to make a splash. So, the interest in Ruiz-Atil shouldn’t come as a surprise considering his talent and the fact that current manager Tuchel has seen it first-hand and gave him his debut at PSG.
Ruiz-Atil’s former club, Barcelona, too are intent on re-signing him in the upcoming campaign. Having lost him six years ago, the Catalans have continued to keep tabs on his progress and working towards bringing the 18-year-old back to the club once his contract with PSG runs out.
Given that the likes of Pedri, Ilaix Moriba, Ansu Fati, Oscar Mingueza all becoming key first-team members at Barcelona under Ronald Koeman, Barcelona have seemingly been encouraged to invest in youth, as is being seen with their interest in the likes of Jon Karrikaburu and Fabio Blanco among others, with Ruiz-Atil also emerging as a viable transfer target.
Apart from these two clubs, Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice are also linked with a move for the 18-year-old. However, the report adds that Chelsea are in advanced negotiations with the player and his camp over a summer move, meaning Barcelona could end up facing defeat in their bid to re-sign Ruiz-Atil.