Chelsea and Man City battle to sign youngster Nathan De Cat
Both Chelsea and Manchester City could be involved in a transfer tug-of-war for young player who is attracting attention from top European clubs.
Towering 6-foot-4 deep-lying playmaker Nathan De Cat is already dominating first-team games at just 17 years old.
The Anderlecht sensation is rapidly emerging as the most sought-after teenager in European football, and heavyweights like Chelsea and Manchester City are actively plotting to bring him to the Premier League.
Chelsea and Man City target Nathan De Cat
Both Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership and the City Football Group have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, according to TEAMtalk.
Scouts from both English giants have been closely tracking De Cat in recent weeks, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Despite his massive frame, the Belgian youth international possesses incredible technical composure, close control, and elite vision.
He operates comfortably as a deep-lying playmaker or a traditional holding midfielder, blending old-school physical dominance with modern tactical intelligence.
De Cat’s current deal with Anderlecht runs until the summer of 2027. This means that at the end of the current campaign, he will enter the precarious final 12 months of his contract.
Top European clubs made aware of the player’s availability
Knowing exactly how much leverage they hold, his representatives are reportedly making Europe’s elite fully aware of his availability.
Anderlecht now faces a brutal reality, either convince him to sign an extension or cash in this summer to avoid losing a generational asset for absolutely nothing next year.
Reports from the continent suggest the Belgian club would demand a serious fee in the region of £26m to £30m (€30m-€35m) to even consider letting him walk.
While Chelsea and Man City are aggressively pushing for his signature, they are facing incredibly stiff competition from Germany.
Bayern Munich are viewed as a massive danger in this race, largely thanks to the Vincent Kompany factor. The Bayern manager’s deep-rooted connections to Anderlecht and Belgian football give the Bundesliga giants a very unique edge in any potential negotiations.
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