Chelsea are interested in Peterborough’s teenage defender Ronnie Edwards.
The Premier League giants are thought to have had scouts in attendance during the club’s first two League One games of the season, with young Chelsea goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom on loan there.
During their visits, however, Edwards is understood to have caught the eye.
The 19-year-old is also said to have attracted attention from the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace after breaking into the first-team at London Road.
Last season, Edwards made 34 Championship appearances and looks set for another full season of senior football in the third tier, having started both of Peterborough’s games this season.
Director of Football Barry Fry has confirmed conversations with Chelsea over a potential move for the player, though stressed he was eager to keep the squad together ahead of another promotion push.
"I’ve had conversations with people at Chelsea who are in the know and who would be involved in any decision-making,” Fry told Peterborough Today.
“They came to watch Lucas, but they were taken by Ronnie. They haven’t made a bid yet, but there are three weeks until the transfer window closes. They certainly like him.
“Virtually the entire Premier League know about Ronnie and it’s interesting to see members of his England Under 19 team attracting attention now.
“Chelsea signed one last week and Southampton have just made a big bid for another of the players [Liam Delap]. I have had big clubs asking to be kept informed if anyone does bid for Ronnie.
"Our position on Ronnie remains the same. It’s going to have to be a big bid to get him and we would try and make sure he was sent straight back to us.
"We don’t want to break up what I believe is the strongest squad in terms of depth in my 26 years at the club. We’ve been turning bids down right, left and centre all summer.”
Chelsea are looking to strengthen their academy as part of a Vision 2030 strategy led by Head of Youth Development Neil Bath, who wants to mirror the ambition shown in the first-team in his set-up.
The club have already signed Aston Villa Carney Chukwuemeka, Southampton’s Eddie Beach and Omari Hutchinson from Arsenal, while they remain keen on a move for Inter Milan midfielder Cesare Casadei.
