Chelsea and Liverpool battle for Ligue 1 wonderkid

Chelsea and Liverpool are set to lock horns for Nantes defender Nathan Zeze, according to reports.

As well as the Premier League heavyweights, Aston Villa and Wolves are have scouted the teenager in Ligue 1 ahead of the January transfer window..

TBR Football reports that “Chelsea and Liverpool have both been in attendance to watch Zeze in the flesh in recent weeks.

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“Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham have also scouted the towering 19-year-old since the new campaign got underway in August.”

The outlet also affirms the point that many young central defenders from France’s top division have landed large moves away, with the likes of William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Leny Yoro and Wesley Fofana being key examples.

Zeze has started six of Nantes’ eight league games so far this season, with his game last weekend, a 1-1 draw with Nice, being a particular standout display.

The 19-year-old is a left-footed centre-back who stands well above six foot. Liverpool are looking for a long-term for Virgil van Dijk, who is out of contract in June, though talks over a new deal are thought to be underway.

Wolves are looking to find someone to replace Max Kilman, who left to West Ham in the summer window. Nottingham Forest and Fulham are also keen, believing that Zeze can deputies Murillo and Calvin Bassey, respectively.

Nantes’s Nathan Zeze is having a really impressive start to his professional career.

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It’s believed Nantes will ask for just €20 million for the teenage star, who is on Mikel. Arteta’s radar. Arsenal are open to letting Jakub Kiwior leave in the New Year after a mixed spell at the Emirates Stadium.

FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value algorithm ranks Zeze at €16.6m, which is near the French outfit’s asking price. He is contracted to La Beaujoire Stadium until June 2028.