Chelsea look set to lock horns with Arsenal for the signing of Villarreal starlet Yeremy Pino. The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer and is said to have already snubbed Barcelona.
Pino, who sees his contract at the Estadio de la Ceramica expire in 2027, featured 31 times for Unai Emery's side in La Liga last season, directly contributing towards ten goals. His impressive displays for the Yellow submarine are said to have courted the interest of Liverpool, who are also prepared to test Villarreal's resolve.
A 'big offer' for the winger would force the Spanish side to make a 'difficult decision', according to AS. The report claims that Pino has a £67million release clause, but it's believed that a bid between €40million and €50 million (£33.8million to £42.3million) could be enough to secure the youngster's signature.
READ MORE: What Thomas Tuchel did to make five Chelsea transfer decisions clear following Tottenham draw
As an increasingly uncertain future at Villarreal unfolds, Fabrizio Romano claims that Chelsea are now tracking Pino's situation. Reports have shown that Arsenal are willing to pay what it takes to sign a primary target; should technical director Edu view the teenage sensation as such, a bidding war could break out.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Yellow Submarine's game against Valladolid, Emery spoke on Pino's future at the club. The former Arsenal boss said: "If an offer arrives for players like Yeremy Pino, then he will have to leave. We have a responsibility with the club. It is what it is."
Should the club choose to sell their prized asset, then Chelsea and Arsenal are set to battle it out for a 'stand out' player. Nando Martinez, Villarreal Under-23s assistant coach, told El Pais, as quoted by Goal: "Yeremy stands out for his character. The more difficult the challenge, the more able he is to demonstrate his potential.
"He maintains the essence of when he played on the street as a child. In addition, he lives for football, and every day ensures he has the right complementary training, nutrition and rest. Yeremy has been, and is, a blessing for his coaches."
All in all, Pino's potential exit is set to trigger a chain reaction. It's said that Emery would reinvest the windfall from the teenager's sale into the signing of out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso. The 26-year-old Argentine looks set to join the Spanish club on loan, though there has been talk that a permanent move is on the cards.
READ NEXT:
Raheem Sterling realises Pep Guardiola Chelsea dream as Tuchel faces Frenkie de Jong question
Todd Boehly overdue £40m success breaks fundamental Chelsea transfer rule to set new trend
Timo Werner Chelsea exit exposes wider transfer mistake that Todd Boehly cannot repeat
Callum Hudson-Odoi Dortmund talks could finally end Chelsea's £150m transfer dead-end
