Chelsea lead race for Barcelona defender, reveals agent

Chelsea lead the race for the 18-year-old Dutch centre-back Xavier Mbuyamba of Barcelona, who has been compared with Virgil van Dijk, according to his agent. Xavier joined Barcelona from MVV Maastricht last summer but his agent is already searching for the best club to continue his development. The starlet's representative, Carlos Barros, told Voetbal International: "Almost all major clubs in Europe have asked about Xavier. Real Madrid are also there, they are serious about their youth system, but that would, of course, be a sensitive switch. "Juventus and Inter are interested, as are top clubs from Germany and England. Chelsea have the best papers. Of course we discussed this extensively last year. Chelsea gave a fantastic presentation. There is a unique football atmosphere there. You immediately sit with the first-team players during lunch and the club has outlined a very ambitious plan for Xavier. "They really think that in one to two years, he can be in the first team. Frank Lampard has of course already proven that he is not afraid to play with young players. Being in the starting line-up at Chelsea at the age of twenty would, of course, be great." Source: Express Join us on Telegram!