are looking to add yet another wonderkid to their ever-growing list of talented youngsters and are considering a January swoop for Wolfsburg’s David Odogu, according to reports.
The 17-year-old is one of the highest-rated young defenders in and was part of his nation’s recent victorious Under-17 campaign in Indonesia.
Odogu had hoped his impressive displays would lead to more first-team opportunities but, according to , that has not been the case – and he is now keen to seek a new challenge elsewhere.
The teenager was denied a place on Wolfsburg’s warm-weather training camp in this month and will instead be used in the Under-19 side for the remainder of the season.
Chelsea are ready to capitalise on his frustrations and have already held ‘initial discussions’ over a deal.
Odogu ticks plenty of boxes for the west London club, whose new ownership have made it a key part of their recruitment strategy to snap up the most talented youngsters from around the world.
He would be very keen to move to Stamford Bridge and continue his development in west London, though Chelsea are not the only club interested.
Leicester City, who look primed to bounce straight back up the Premier League, have also inquired about Odogu while other teams in the Premier League are also keeping tabs on the situation.
Odogu played a leading role in Germany’s U17 World Cup victory and was in the starting XI for last month’s final when they saw off an incredibly talented France side on penalties.
He is a precocious talent, full of power and poise, and has captained Wolfsburg at various youth levels, while he has even been likened to compatriot Antonio Rudiger.
Discussions with Odogu’s camp have been encouraging but any deal is still a little way off; the player’s representatives are sounding out a number of other clubs too while Chelsea have other priorities in the first-team squad that will need addressing first.
that Chelsea could have other business in the Bundesliga, with Ian Maatsen firmly on the radar of Borussia Dortmund.
The German giants are strongly interested in signing the 21-year-old and are already in advanced negotiations over a loan deal.
However, the move could break down if Chelsea – who have to comply with financial fair play rules – insist on including a compulsory buy option in the region of £25million, a figure which could be too steep for BVB.
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