Chelsea lead Real Madrid in the race to sign Barcelona starlet

Chelsea is leading Real Madrid in the race to Barcelona starlet Xavier Mbuyamba, according to his agent.

The 18-year-old defender joined Barcelona from MVV Maastricht last August and he is yet to play a match which has led him to consider his future at the Camp Nou.

“Almost all major clubs in Europe have asked about Xavier,” the player’s agent, Carlos Barros, told Voetbal International.

“Real Madrid is 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 has 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.”

Barros admits the player’s future is ambiguous and may be tied to the club’s presidential elections.

“The ambiguity is enormous,” Barros said.

“A new presidential election is coming and it could be that many new people will join the board.

“Politically it is very restless and in a sporting sense, there is a lot of division. If you see that even Ansu Fati can be loaned out… How can you breakthrough as a talent?”