Premier League giants Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a summer swoop for Eintracht Frankfurt wonderkid Luka Hyrylainen.
According to The Sun, Chelsea have expressed interest in Luka Hyrylainen. The 17-year-old defensive midfielder currently plies his trade for Eintracht Frankfurt, but the Bundesliga giants are facing a battle to keep hold of his services, amid interest from a host of top clubs across Europe.
Chelsea are among the clubs keeping close tabs on the teenage prodigy, whose current deal at Eintracht expires at the end of next season. The English giants are hoping to land him once he turns 18 in August, thus making him eligible to receive a professional contract in the UK.
Chelsea have already started planning for the season ahead after confirming their new owners, led by the Todd Boehly consortium. Their transfer ban should be lifted for good and the club will be able to target new players while holding talks over the renewal of existing stars.
Chelsea are expected to go after top players in the summer, but the Blues are equally keen on strengthening their ranks in the youth department as it has proven to become a key avenue for producing their first-team stars in recent years.
The likes of Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah all hail from the Chelsea academy. And it appears the Blues are now looking to incorporate Luka Hyrylainen as part of their setup next season, hoping the 17-year-old wonderkid can burst through the ranks in the years to come.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the Finnish whizkid is a sought-after prospect in Germany, having made a huge impression with his consistent performances in Under-19 Bundesliga divisions. Although he has been a part of the Eintracht setup since last summer, he is poised to earn a call-up to the senior team at the Bundesliga club this summer.
At just 17, Hyrylainen has shown he is capable of performing at the highest level of football. Although he is yet to get a taste of professional football, Chelsea are likely targeting him as a potential long-term replacement for someone like Jorginho, who has been subjected to a return to Serie A this summer.
The Blues are also facing a battle to keep hold of N’Golo Kante amid interest from Manchester United. So it will be essential for Thomas Tuchel to upgrade his ranks in the youth department and sign a few youngsters who are capable of replacing the first-team stars at Chelsea.
