Chelsea are ready to go head-to-head with Manchester United in the battle to sign Moussa Dembele this summer.
The Premier League giants are both eyeing the in-demand French striker who could be allowed to leave Lyon this summer.
Chelsea are determined to back Frank Lampard in the summer market after the Blues boss publicly voiced his frustration at a lack of signings in January.
Lampard wanted reinforcements to bolster his push for a place in the top four but also knows that he is under pressure to get back into the Champions League.
They looked at Edison Cavani and Dries Mertens but Lampard is a big admirer of ex-Celtic star Dembele with Lyon valuing the 23-year-old in excess of £60million.
Chelsea have also been looking at Germany striker Timo Werner but they believe there could be interest from Liverpool as the Red Bull Leipzig star fancies a move to English football.
United are also long-term admirers of Dembele who is regarded as one of France’s best young talents and that could spark a battle between the clubs.
Lampard likes Dembele’s versatility, likes young players and believes he is a better long-term option than Cavani and Mertens.
Lyon made it clear that Dembele was not for sale in January - but that is expected to change in the summer.
United also want to buy big in the summer and have other options with Borussia Dortmund’s Jason Sancho also likely to be in demand.
Even though the England winger has been heavily linked with Chelsea and Liverpool, United have been pushing hard behind the scenes and believe they are in a good position.
