Chelsea are plotting a move for Real Madrid sensation Oscar Rodriguez. According to recent reports emerging from Spain, the Blues are set to go head to head with Barcelona in pursuit of the 19-year-old’s signature. The Spanish youngster has found game time limited at the Spanish capital this season and has been tipped to make a move in the summer when his contract with Los Blancos expires. The attacking midfielder is reportedly a target for the West London club as Antonio Conte’s side looks to build for the future. Some sources in the Spanish press claim that the Blues are ready to test the water by launching a £7m bid for the teenager’s services before the transfer window comes to a close at the end of this month.
It is also believed that the Catalans are not willing to match Chelsea’s offer but could look to lure him to the Nou Camp by offering him a chance in Ernesto Valverde’s first-team. The same report suggests that Rodriguez has been compared to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard because of his playing style and the Catalan club would now do well to keep him away from the London club’s reach.
However, the promise of first-team team football at the Nou Camp could prove to be too good for the youngster to refuse, especially considering Chelsea’s recent track record with young players. The London outfit has made a habit of signing young players and then loaning them which might halt Rodriguez’s progress if he decides to join the Stamford Bridge-based club in the near future.
Rodriguez has just made one senior appearance for the Galacticos this term in their 2-2 draw against Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey back in November. However, he has been in sensational form for the La Liga giants’ youth team and has featured in 24 matches, scoring six goals and providing three assists so far in this campaign. The potential loss of someone of Rodriguez’s potential would come as a major blow for the reigning European champions with their boss Zinedine Zidane a big admirer of the youngster’s abilities.
One of the biggest newspapers in Spain, Marca once suggested that he was the “pearl” of the Real Madrid academy and was destined for big things at the club.
Although, Chelsea have now monitored his progress and could make a possible swoop for his signature in the coming months. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Real Madrid academy graduate and whether the Blues are successful in their attempts to fend off stiff competition from Barcelona in pursuit of the teenage starlet’s signature.
