Chelsea 'rival' Tottenham for highly-rated defender as 'dream' advantage emerges

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly battling to sign Leece defender Patrick Dorgu.

The 19-year-old is quietly becoming one of the most in-demand defenders in Europe after breaking into the Italian side's first-team. Dorgu has made 38 appearances in Serie A, scoring three times, he has missed just one league game this season during a difficult start for Luca Gotti's side.

Leece sit in the relegation zone but made an important move recently after tieing down the Denmark international to a new deal. Dorgu penned a new contract until 2029, but according to the , London clubs are targeting his signature despite the extension.

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It has been suggested that the Italian club believe his future is away from Southern Italy. Chelsea have reportedly scouted the defender heavily with Spurs adding the teenager to their shortlist in the summer as cover for Destiny Udogie.

Initially, Leece were said to be quoting a figure north of £25million for the defender but with the new deal signed off, the suggestion is that it will be expected to rise.

Should reports be true, Chelsea may have the advantage in the race after the Dane made a telling Blues revelation. He said: "I don’t spend that much time on it.

"There are always rumours and my agent has been approached, but right now I am under contract in Lecce and then we’ll see what happens.

"I have been a Chelsea fan for many years, so of course it’s clear that it is a dream. That’s not to say I can’t switch to other teams in the Premier League, but even if things aren’t going so well for them right now, they’re my team."