Report: Chelsea will push hard to sign midfielder who has been called a young Paul Pogba

Chelsea are willing to step up their reported pursuit of Illaix Moriba if Barcelona fail to extend his contract.

This is according to Mundo Deportivo, who claim this Blues ‘will push hard’ for Moriba’s signature if he doesn’t agree to a new Barca deal.

The 18-year-old faces an uncertain future with his Spanish employers, as they continue to sweat over him signing on the dotted line.

His agreement runs out next June and the club have taken extra measures to try and ensure he elongates his stay.

He has been demoted to train with Barca’s development side, whilst the player’s representatives try to solve this particular issue.

Meetings between Moriba’s agents and the Camp Nou hierarchy have seemingly not induced any solid results so far.

Premier League sides might want to take notice of this unfolding situation.

None more so than Chelsea, who are said to be intrigued by the exciting midfielder.

Despite only breaking into Barcelona’s senior squad last season, the teenager had established an outstanding reputation from his time in the academy.

Denis Silva Puig worked with Moriba in Barca’s Juvenil A team and didn’t hold back when describing the youngster’s talents.

“He’s physically very strong, but he’s also a very intelligent player,” Puig told Bleacher Report.

“Most people don’t appreciate this.

“Here he’s called the ‘(Paul) Pogba of Barca’ because he’s like a young Pogba, but also he is very, very intelligent—and that is his big potential.”

Any comparisons to Manchester United’s no.6 make for interesting reading.

Pogba arguably divides opinion more than any footballer on the planet.

A truly wonderful entertainer on his day, with a tendency to fall by the wayside in key moments.

But if Moriba is anything like the France international on a technical level, his destiny is in good hands.