Chelsea losing grip on the market – Man City emerge as favourites for Barca wonderkid

Since the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea have fallen behind in their attempts to sign 18 year-old Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona, with Manchester City taking prominence.

Deulofeu is considered to be the stars of the Academy and is being billed in Spain as the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne.

He has played briefly in the Champions League and La Liga this season and he is such hot property that Nike offered him a £122k deal when he was just 14.
But he is still only on a youth contract at the club and has so far refused to sign a new deal which would keep him there until June 2017, despite extensive talks between the club and his agent.

Deulofeu has scored a series of spectacular goals for the Barcelona B team this season but is already growing impatient for regular first-team football.

Chelsea we’re thought to have been in contact with the player, but reports are suggesting the instability around Stamford Bridge are putting the player off.

City were alerted to his availability by new sporting director Txiki Begiristain, who used to work for Barcelona, and it is now thought a move to the Etihad is likely.

It was only a matter of time before managers and players alike would start being put off by Roman Abramovich’s wheeling and dealing. Pep looks to have been put off by Roman and now this wonderkid is about to snub us. Rafa has to go, but that will not help our image. It is going to take years to repair, and to think we are the holders of the Champions League… Thanks Roman…