Chelsea report: Blues face competition from Liverpool in race for prodigious MLS winger

Chelsea are reportedly going head-to-head with Liverpool to try and sign Chicago Fire wonderkid Jhon Duran.

The 18-year-old Colombian winger has made a big impact during his first season in MLS, having joined the Fire this January from Envigado in his homeland.

And reports in the USA (via the Mirror) have named the Blues and Reds as two clubs tracking Duran – who's currently valued at just under £2m by Transfermarkt.

Duran made his senior international debut last month, coming on for Radamel Falcao in a 4-1 friendly win over Guatemala.

He earned his second cap three days later, replacing Liverpool's Luis Diaz as Colombia came from 2-0 down to beat Mexico 3-2.

Fire boss Ezra Hendrickson has spoken of Duran's immense potential. Following Saturday's 3-2 victory away to FC Cincinnati – in which Duran scored what proved to be the decisive goal, bagging his third brace of the campaign – he said:

"He is a player that, once he gets it all together ... can be a really, really special player. He has all the tools."

Should Duran go on to sign for Chelsea, he'll follow in the footsteps of international teammates Juan Cuadrado – who he played alongside Mexico – and the aforementioned Falcao.

Duran has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 26 MLS appearances (13 of which have been starts) for a struggling Fire side this term.

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Duran might not be the only player whose signature Chelsea battle Liverpool for: the Blues have also been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham.

Chelsea are also reportedly leading the race for RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku – and are even said to have arranged a private medical for the France international.

Meanwhile, it's been suggested that Arsenal wide man Gabriel Martinelli could make a surprise switch to Stamford Bridge.