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Chelsea lead race for 'new Yaya Toure' but face PL rivals for 20-year-old

  /  autty

Chelsea are the favourites to sign midfielder Arthur Avom from French side Lorient this summer.

Avom, a Cameroon international, has been compared to former Manchester City great Yaya Toure due to his style of play.

According to The Sun, Chelsea are one of three Premier League clubs to have sent scouts to Lorient games this season.

West Ham and Aston Villa also appear to be monitoring his situation but Chelsea are expected to be the 20-year-old's most likely destination.

Lorient, currently top of Ligue 2 with promotion secured, are thought to be keen to tie Avom down with a contract extension.

However, according to reports, the youngster will listen to all offers before making a decision on where he will play next season.

Avom has two caps for Cameroon to his name having made his international debut aged 18.

The midfielder has notched two goals and five assists in 30 league appearances for Lorient this season.

He is seen mainly as a central midfielder who can both operate in a holding role and play closer to the forward line.

Avom joined Lorient in 2023 after signing from Cameroonian club Fauve Azur.

Alongside interest from the trio of Premier League clubs, Bournemouth could also enter the race given their partnership with Lorient.

According to The Sun, Chelsea's preference would be to sign Avom and immediately loan him to their sister club Strasbourg.