Chelsea Plot January Raid For Arsenal & Liverpool Target

Chelsea are plotting a fresh raid on Barcelona’s youth academy after being linked with a £5m move for Arsenal and Liverpool target, Sergi Roberto.

The Blues signed former Barca midfielder Oriol Romeu in the summer for a fee of £4.8m and Andre Villas-Boas has been impressed with how the youngster has acquitted himself in the Premier League, handing him his first start during Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

According to reports, Chelsea are now preparing to raid the Camp Nou again and are lining up a £5m move for 19-year-old Roberto, who also plays in midfield. No doubt Barcelona would demand a buy-back clause be inserted in to the deal if a sale is agreed, as they did with the sale of Romeu in the summer.

The Spanish U-21 ace has been an impressive part of Barca’s youth set-up and has been linked with fellow Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool in recent months. All three are thought to be keeping a close eye on the youngster but it’s Chelsea who are believed to be making their move first and are confident in sealing a deal as early as January.