Everton are interested in Metz youngster Pape Matar Sarr but face competition from Chelsea for his signature.
That’s according to L’Equipe, who say the Premier League pair will have to move quickly if they wish to get the 18-year-old.
Sarr has been one of the outstanding performers for Metz this season, earning praise and plenty of attention for his performances in the middle of the park.
He’s already racked up 17 appearances and two goals in Ligue 1 this season, an impressive tally for a player who only arrived from Senegalese side Génération Foot in September last year.
He was already being followed by ‘major European clubs’ before that switch, and his displays have only earned him more attention since.
According to the newspaper French side, Nice are already prepared to pay €12m to sign him this summer, but they are not the only interested party.
The midfielder is also ‘highly sought after’ in England, with Everton and Chelsea both keen on him.
Now, there is no mention of either of the clubs making a move or being prepared to at this point, although the phrase highly sought after suggests that they will be moving before too long.
Everton’s interest certainly makes sense given Marcel Brands’ open desire to sign young players and develop them for the future.
The same can be said of Chelsea, who have a long and established history of picking up young talent from around Europe over the years.
In that sense, it is no surprise to hear they are interested in a player like Sarr, and it remains to be seen if they make their move sooner rather than later, especially with at least one French club already prepared to go relatively big to get him.
