Chelsea have joined a host of other European clubs in monitoring Nico Melamed.
The 19-year-old came up through the ranks of Espanyol’s youth system and made his debut for the first team at the end of the 2018/19 season.
Last campaign, the midfielder made seven appearances for the Spanish club’s senior team, while featuring 27 times for Espanyol’s B team in the third division and scoring seven goals in the process.
Sport explain the Spain U19 international has shown at the age of 19 ‘he has a lot of football in his boots’ and that has not gone unnoticed across Europe.
It’s claimed the Blues, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all ‘interested in him’.
Espanyol, who were relegated from La Liga, have long-term plans for the player. Melamed last signed an extension in April 2019 and his current deal expires in 2023.
This deal includes an €8m release clause and the Catalan club fear the price is ‘more than feasible’ for the likes of Chelsea and other clubs.
According to the newspaper, Espanyol want to ‘shield’ Melamed from the interest of European giants, and they plan to do it by offering him a second contract in just over a year’s time. 
Melamed was largely used as an attacking midfielder last term, but he can operate as a central midfielder and also play on the wings.
Their waiting may be dangerous, given €8m isn’t something which will put clubs off.
