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After spending six years at Espanyol’s academy, Nico Melamed made his first team debut at the start of this season in the Spanish club’s Europa League qualifiers against FC Luzern.

The 19-year-old became the first player born in the 21st century to represent the Catalan club.

Tuesday’s edition of AS claims the young midfielder is ‘watched’ by Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

He has impressed in the Segunda División B (third tier) this season, scoring seven goals in 27 appearances for Espanyol’s B team. The teenager has been deployed in various positions, with attacking and central midfield being the two most used positions.

The Spanish club are bottom of La Liga and are six points behind 17th place Celta Vigo. AS adds Espanyol have promoted several of their youngsters into first team training sessions and Nico is included in the list.

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AS only state Frank Lampard’s side and other clubs have ‘watched’ Nico and there’s no mention of the fee needed to take him away from the Spanish club.  

On March 26th, Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio explained the versatile player has a €8m release clause in his contract.

If Espanyol are relegated, it would be easy for the likes of the Blues, Barca or Bayern to sign Nico.