CHELSEA are leading a trio of Premier League clubs in the race to sign Lorient midfielder Arthur Avom this summer.
The 2004-born midfielder is a rising star in French football, with Chelsea, West Ham, and Aston Villa scouts regularly attending his games throughout the season.
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French Ligue 2 side Lorient are keen to tie him down to a long-term deal, with his current contract reportedly expiring this summer.
However, with Chelsea aiming to become a hot bed for Europe’s top young talents, Avom is reportedly in no rush to sign an extension.
He will listen to all offers and will make a decision on his future in the summer.
Lorient have a strategic partnership with Bournemouth and believe that the 20-year-old could make the move to the Premier League in a similar deal to the one that took Dango Ouattara to the Vitality Stadium.
West Ham are also interested, with manager Graham Potter determined to rebuild a midfield that has disappointed massively this season.
Aston Villa meanwhile will have European football next season and Unai Emery wants to strengthen.
The Aston Villa manager played a key role in developing Nicolas Jackson during his early days at Villarreal and has also set his sights on convincing the talented midfielder to come to Villa Park.
Avom, a Cameroonian international, is often compared to Ivorian legend Yaya Toure.
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He is blessed with superb technique, a powerful shot, and remarkable stamina, allowing him to play effectively as either a central or box-to-box midfielder.
This season, he has featured in thirty league games, quickly establishing himself as one of the first names on Olivier Pantaloni’s team sheet.
SunSport understands that Chelsea’s interest is focused on signing Avom and then loaning him to their sister club, Strasbourg.
It remains to be seen, however, whether the midfielder prefers a move that brings him straight to the Premier League or one that keeps him in France a little while longer.
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