Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing a Manchester City youngster because he could reportedly be in line for a new contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea supporters are likely to be quite intrigued when they’re linked with Man City players after the success of Cole Palmer. In the last 18 months, the 22-year-old attacker has gone from the bench at the Etihad Stadium to the talisman at Stamford Bridge and one of the Premier League’s elite stars.
Palmer struggled in Chelsea’s recent defeat to Man City, but he’s more than vindicated his decision to leave Manchester to progress in his career.
- READ MORE: The damning statistic that proves Chelsea teammates are massively letting Cole Palmer down
Manchester City to target new contract for their player amid Chelsea interest
Man City youngster Nico O’Reilly, 19, is a player who’s been linked with a possible move to the Bridge recently.
Chelsea’s enquiry for O’Reilly was rejected by Man City in the latter stages of the recent January transfer window. However, fresh claims suggested that Enzo Maresca’s side would continue to monitor O’Reilly.
According to GiveMeSport, Chelsea don’t think Man City will be moved on their stance of O’Reilly when it comes around to the summer transfer window at the end of the season.
Apparently, Pep Guardiola’s side rejected the January approach from the Blues for the 19-year-old academy graduate because he’s highly rated within the club.
The report adds that O’Reilly is one of the players that Man City will target for a new contract ‘in the coming months’.
Who is Nico O’Reilly?
Born in 2005, O’Reilly is an exciting youngster who’s developed in the Man City academy before breaking into the first-team picture more recently. Incidentally, he’s made seven senior appearances across all competitions so far this season.
The versatile 19-year-old talent is an attacking midfielder by trade, but he’s even covered at left-back in the first team.
Back in July, Shaun Wright-Phillips described O’Reilly as “phenomenal” via Man City’s official YouTube channel.
O’Reilly has kicked on since pre-season to become a regular part of Guardiola’s first team. He’s very much still a raw talent and a work in progress as he adapts to the level, though.
Chelsea shouldn’t be too disappointed if they miss out on him because their priority should be on signing more experience in the next transfer window.
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