Premier League Brentford are reportedly showing interest in Blues forward Omari Hutchinson.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Bees view the 21-year-old as a potential replacement for Bryan Mbeumo, who is being targeted by Manchester United.
However, it’s said the interest is at an initial stage and there have been no discussions between the West Londoners and the Blues regarding Hutchinson, who has been given additional time off by Town having been with the victorious England U21s squad at the European Championship in Slovakia.
The former Chelsea man’s displays at the tournament did his reputation no harm with the Bees, Everton, West Ham, Fulham, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig among those linked during the competition, although with sources on Merseyside subsequently playing down the Toffees’ interest.
Town will want to keep hold of Hutchinson, who signed on a permanent basis from Chelsea last summer for a club record initial £20 million plus a further £2.5 million in top-ups.
However, the matter may be taken out of their hands if a club matches the £35 million relegation release clause included in the five-year deal the Redhill-born attacker signed last summer.