CHELSEA CLOSE IN ON SPANISH TEENAGE STAR

By Staff Writer
Updated: 8 March, 2012

Chelsea are on the verge of signing exciting Hércules striker Ashford Michael Dawkins who is currently on trial at Stamford Bridge.

The blues were first alerted to the 16-year-old before Christmas and former Chelsea boss Andres Villas-Boas is reported to have personally watched Dawkins play for Hércules’ juvenil side in Spain’s Liga Nacional.

Spanish media site Informacion.es are now reporting Chelsea are close to finalising a deal for the player which is believed to be in the region of €150,000, after the youngster impressed during his current trial period at Stamford Bridge.

Dawkins has also been linked with a move to Valencia but Hércules youth team coach Adolfo Soto said Dawkins would favour a move to England.

Soto added: “Ashford is strong, hardworking, powerful, explosive and very gives everything for the team. “Clearly he is a very important player for us and if he goes to Chelsea will miss him. But here we all want the best for Hercules and for Ashford.

“He has a very big future ahead of him.”

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made it clear he wants the club to strengthen their youth academy and a number of promising young players have already been linked with a summer switch to Stamford Bridge.

Follow @icentrocampista