18-year-old Chelsea starlet attracts interest from 4 PL clubs after delaying contract talks

Transfer News: Four Premier League clubs eyeing Chelsea teenager Lewis Bate

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea teenager, Lewis Bate, has attracted transfer interest from Leeds United, Southampton, Liverpool, and West Ham.

The 18-year-old has delayed contract talks with the Blues despite being in the final 12 months of his current deal. He has spent a decade at the club as he joined the London-based outfit as an 8-year-old.

But Chelsea could lose him if they don’t act fast enough. The central midfielder has represented England at the U19 level and has even made the bench thrice for Chelsea’s senior team.

Bate is one of three teenagers to put his Chelsea future in doubt after a breakdown in contract talks. The other two are Myles Peart-Harris and the highly-rated Tino Livramento.

Bate wanted by PL rivals

That is according to a report by Football.london (h/t Daily Star) as covered by ASBTF last week, which mentions the trio’s uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.

Bate’s absence, if he does leave, would be felt in the reserve squads where he has been a regular for the U23 and previously, the U18 Chelsea team. But the first team would largely be unaffected.

The 18-year-old is one of many teenagers on the club’s books and is yet to play a single minute for the senior side. If potential suitors do come in for him, Chelsea should look for appropriate financial compensation.

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If Bate does not renew his deal and remains at Chelsea this summer, the club risks losing him on a free transfer. But while the teenager is a decent prospect for the future, his potential departure does not seem, at least right now, like something to lose your sleep over for Chelsea fans.