Chelsea set to have SECOND wonderkid transfer hijacked by Real Madrid after losing out on Jacquet to Liverpool

CHELSEA are bracing themselves for another transfer setback – days after Liverpool beat them to the signing of Jeremy Jacquet.

The Blues made all the running for the France Under-21 international before the Premier League champions stepped in to hijack the deal at the eleventh hour.

Chelsea quickly changed tack by recalling Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg to bolster their defensive options, but the club have also identified another top centre-back prospect from Ligue 1.

A rumoured £26million bid for Nantes’ 18-year-old colossus Tylel Tati was rejected on deadline day and he will stay to fend off the threat of relegation.

It has now emerged that Real Madrid have added the teenager’s name to their list of summer transfer targets.

Chelsea’s move has alerted the Spanish giants, who think Tati could develop along similar lines to legendary former star Raphael Varane.

Spanish outlet Defensa Central claim that Tati has been monitored closely by chief scout Juni Calafat, the man who identified and signed talents such as Varane, Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr in the past.

He convinced the club to abandon their pursuit of Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate after Christmas and is now championing a move for a different profile of defender.

Tati fits the bill because of his younger age, high ceiling, technical gifts and availability this summer.

And with David Alaba set to leave Madrid when his contract expires in June, the club would have no predominantly left-footed central defenders left. 

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The 6ft 3in Tati is strongest on his left and has a rare blend of size, athleticism and composure.

Coaches in France rave about his aerial dominance and his ability to read danger early. 

Despite his height, he moves with surprising speed, allowing him to cover space, intercept passes and recover in transition.

Chelsea planned for Tati to tread a familiar path to Stamford Bridge with an initial loan spell at Strasbourg to fill the void left by Sarr’s recall.

They are likely to try again in the summer when the youngster has added to his 18 Ligue 1 appearances but will face stiff competition from the Spanish capital.