Chelsea chase River Plate youngster

Premier League Chelsea are rumoured to be interested in signing River Plate’s central defender Emanuel Mammana this summer for a fee of around £8 million.

New Chelsea boss Conte has said to have identified the defence as an area he wants to strengthen and the 20 year-old defender is seen as a long term replacement for John Terry and Gary Cahill and to eventually partner Kurt Zouma at the SW6 club.

The Argentinian youngster who missed out on a place at the Copa America this summer is highly sought after with Inter and AC Milan, Fiorentina and Napoli amongst the Italian clubs who have recently scouted him.

Newly promoted Middleborough had been linked with him last season as well as North London clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal who are said to fancy him as he is still very young and could represent great future sell on value at only £8-10 million.

The 2014 Copa Sudamericana winner is considered by many in Argentina to be the next to leave South America and make his way to Europe, it is thought he prefers a move to Serie A first before the Premier League though.