Chelsea have allegedly identified Red Star Belgrade prospect Andrija Maksimovic as a potential transfer target.
Ever since the Blues were taken over by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, there has been a clear focus on acquiring some of world football's best young talent.
Such has been the emphasis on attracting that profile of player to Stamford Bridge in the long term is highlighted by the €57m deal that was struck for Palmeiras teenager Estevao Willian earlier in the year.
Estevao - as well as Kendry Paez - will link up with Chelsea next summer, further reducing the average age of what is a squad that is already the youngest in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, it appears that Boehly and Clearlake have no plans to slow down their approach of trying to tempt starlets to West London.
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'Serbian Messi' on Chelsea, Liverpool radar
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are among the teams who are interested in securing a deal for Maksimovic during one of the upcoming transfer windows.
Despite being just 17 years of age, the playmaker has already made 14 appearances for Red Star, scoring four goals and contributing two assists.
Most notably, Maksimovic - dubbed 'the Serbian Messi' - has accumulated 216 minutes during this season's Champions League, playing at least 70 minutes against each of Inter Milan, Monaco and Bayern Munich.
Maksimovic featured on the losing side in each of those fixtures, yet it highlighted the faith that is currently being placed in a player who also has two senior caps with his country to his name.
The report adds that Liverpool, Manchester City and Juventus are also among the sides who are monitoring the situation as they consider whether to tempt Red Star into a sale.
That said, it is suggested that his current employers and family would not necessarily jump at the chance to either cash in on his signature or advise him to make the switch to a higher-profile club at this stage of his career.
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Is there any point in Chelsea bidding for Maksimovic?
Maksimovic is capable of playing as an advanced midfielder or on the flank, and there are signs that he could soon establish himself on a bigger platform.
Chelsea already have players for that position, however, and there will come a time when the West Londoners will have to reduce their spending when it comes to young players because the pathway to senior football will be non-existent.
A total of €77m has allegedly been committed on the signings of Estevao and Paez, with players possessing similar qualities and who have been tipped to be integrated into Enzo Maresca's squad next season.
With Andrey Santos another option to be used in a deeper role, Chelsea are already in a position where sales may be required to accommodate the aforementioned trio before they consider any more fresh faces.
Darren Plant
