According to reports from O Jogo, Chelsea are leading Arsenal, Manchester City and Inter Milan in the race to sign Benfica full-back Nelson Semedo.
The Lisbon-born defender is just 22 years of age and made his first team debut for Benfica back in August. But he’s already shown enough promise to earn a senior cap for Portugal, despite never representing his country at youth level, and generate interest from three of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
The right-back has particularly impressed during his two Champions League outings this term, against Group B opponents Astana and Atletico Madrid, averaging 2.5 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1.5 created chances and a whopping 4.5 successful dribbles per match.
O Jogo report Chelsea as particularly keen on the 5 foot 10 prodigy, perhaps due to the ambiguity surrounding Branislav Ivanovic’s future at Stamford Bridge, but also mention interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Inter Milan.
The race to sign Semedo looks to be a long one, however. Benfica will be reluctant to lose a promising starlet who made his debut just a matter of months ago and are under no obligation to sell, with his contract not set to expire until summer 2021.