Chelsea Rumors: Blues Made 'Offer' For Manchester United's Target Dubbed 'New Paul Pogba'

After becoming Barcelona’s newest star, Ilaix Moriba is now being pursued by a big-name English Premier League club.

The future is bright for Moriba as Barca manager Ronald Koeman is now open to handing the teenage sensation a regular spot in his squad for the remainder of the season.

But apart from Barcelona, Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United are also yearning to sign the 18-year-old attacker dubbed as the “new Paul Pogba.”

Chelsea is touted as the frontrunner in landing Moriba despite stiff competition from “a host” of English top-flight clubs. The Blues are said to have already made an “important offer” for the Spanish international, English outlet Football.london reported.

Manchester United has also been monitoring Moriba’s situation as well as Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. However, none of the aforementioned clubs are likely to close a deal anytime soon as Barcelona is expected to extend the player’s contract, which is set to expire next year, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo reported.

Since his arrival at Camp Nou, Barca manager Koeman has been firm with his plan to hone Barca’s youngsters, a project which caused the departure of Lionel Messi’s co-star Luis Suarez.

Apparently, the manager’s stance hasn’t changed one bit as he confirmed that Barcelona's group tenderfeet, including Moriba, are the “future” of the club, fending off interests from other clubs.

“It is clear that we are proud to let young people from grassroots football in,” Koeman said in a post-match conference Saturday. “We do it because they deserve it, there are people like Pedri, Ilaix [Moriba], Riqui [Puig], [Ronald] Araujo, [Oscar] Mingueza. They are the future of the club.”

Moriba has proven his worth in Saturday’s La Liga match at El Sadar. It can be recalled that Barcelona claimed a decisive 2-0 win over Sevilla--with the young gun scoring the club’s second and final goal at the 83rd minute.

After the match, Koeman acknowledged the timely emergence of Moriba in the senior team.

According to the Dutchman, Moriba is an important part of the group as he gives Barcelona “something extra” inside the pitch.

Hence, Koeman hinted that the youngster is very likely to be handed more first-team appearances.

“Every time he comes into the team he gives the team something extra, because of his personality, his energy, most of all he’s good with the ball, and physically he’s a strong boy,” the manager said of Moriba. “He’s gaining ground and showing he can be more with the first team.”