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Feeder club status gives Chelsea edge over Man Utd, City and Arsenal in wonderkid chase
CHELSEA are leading the race to sign Vitesse Arnheim youngster Thomas Buitink, according to reports.
Thomas Buitink (right) is a star of the Dutch U16 squad
Dutch side Vitesse are a feeder club of Chelsea, who currently have a host of players out in Holland on loan.
And it is understood the Blues are primed to capture Buitink, 15, when he is ready to sign a professional contract.
The Daily Mail claim Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal are all keen on the player.
City are said to have sent scouts out to watch the Dutch youngster, who has scored over 100 goals for Vitesse’s youth teams, in action.
Chelsea have 33 players out on loan this season, of which Lewis Baker, Nathan, Danilo Pantic, Isaiah Brown and Dominic Solanke are all at Vitesse.
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United and Arsenal have also fielded a host of squad players on temporary deals abroad.
Meanwhile, United are understood to be keen on landing another Dutchman, Bruno Martins Indi, from Porto.
Should a January deal go through, the player would compete for a starting role with Marcos Rojo, who came close to quitting United in the summer, claims the Daily Star.
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