Chelsea academy graduate Charly Musonda is set for contract talks with the Stamford Bridge club amid interest in him from Arsenal and Manchester United.
According to the Evening Standard, the Blues want to start negotiations with the Belgian soon so that they can tie him down on a long-term deal before their Premier League rivals have any chance to sign him.
Musonda’s current contract will expire in the summer of 2019, so Chelsea won’t want him to go into next summer without a renewal, as he will be easier for clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United to sign once he’s in the final year of his contract.
The Standard’s report states that inital talks were held between Musonda and Chelsea at the end of last season, but further discussion was postponed as the player wanted to see how he’d be used this season and if he’d be getting the game time he feels he deserves off the back of impressive loan performances with Real Betis last season.
Musonda made his first Chelsea start in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest last week, scoring one of the Blues’ goals as they progressed to the fourth round.
It is understood that Musonda has been told by Chelsea boss Antonio Conte that he is in his plans for the season; the young Belgian is listed in the club’s Premier League squad.
