Exclusive: Chelsea close in on signing of Stoke centre-forward after Spurs offer
Stoke City are locked in a major battle to stop striker sensation Mohamed Sankoh joining Chelsea, Football Insider can reveal.
This site revealed earlier this year the Potters are trying to keep hold of the in-demand wonderkid amid interest from some of Britain's top clubs.
A Stoke source has told Football Insider that Chelsea are in pole position to sign Sankoh, 16, in the upcoming window.
The Championship outfit have offered the youngster a new contract and are trying to persuade him to rebuff the advances of the Premier League giants.
It would be an initial scholarship converted into a professional contract when he turns 17 in October.
Chelsea are not the only top team keen on luring Sankoh from the Bet365 Stadium.
There is also strong interest from Tottenham, who have offered him a contract, as well as Everton and 10-in-a-row chasers Celtic.
Significantly for Sankoh's many suitors, there would only be a compensation fee payable to Stoke for development costs.
He is a highly regarded talent who has been capped by Holland at Under-17 level and scored prolifically for Stoke Under-18s earlier this season.
A strongly built and athletic front player, he has also played regularly for their Under-23s against senior pros and much older youngsters in Premier League 2.
Sankoh signed from Sparta Rotterdam in the summer of 2018 when his mother moved to the Midlands.
In other Chelsea news, it can be REVEALED that
.
PLUS: Subscribe for free to our brilliant new YouTube channel for daily videos, exclusive news, interviews with our top pundits and special guests, and all the latest insight into the club you love.