Chelsea are tracking 16-year-old full back Triston Rowe, who is playing five years above his age group at Aston Villa.
The England Under-16s international has long been on Chelsea’s radar having played for his country at the youngest age groups.
They recently watched the teenage right-back move between West Brom and Villa just 18 months ago but have now identified him as an option to strengthen.
Chelsea’s scouts are particularly impressed seeing Rowe play across his three Under-21s appearances at such a young age.
Rowe has also made a further four appearances playing for Villa’s Under-18s group.
The interest in Rowe is part of a wide-scale investment plan at the academy level after budgets rose following the Boehly-Clearlake takeover.
The Blues spent well over £30million signing teenage stars through their academy budget like Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and Omari Hutchinson.
They want to continue that trend into the upcoming January transfer window and beyond.
