Chelsea are keeping a close eye on Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Atakan Akkaynak, according to Goal.com.
The Blues will however face stiff competition from La Liga giants Barcelona who are also tracking the 18 year old. The central midfield player has caps for Germany at under 16, under 17, under 18 and under 19 levels but he has yet to make his senior debut for the Bundesliga side.
Akkaynak has made his way through the youth ranks at Leverkusen and is currently playing for the club’s Under 19 side in the A-Junioren Bundesliga West league, making five appearances in all competitions this season, and contributing one assist so far.
Described as an all round midfielder, the teenager has also been praised for his leadership qualities after captaining Germany’s Under 17 and Under 18 teams. He currently has two years left on his contract and Chelsea will no doubt be monitoring the player’s situation when negotiations start over a new deal.
