Chelsea to Offer Young Midfielder New Deal to Stave Off Arsenal Interest – Report

Chelsea are hoping to tie down promising young midfielder Nathan Chalobah to a new long term deal amid reported interest from London rivals Arsenal.

The 18-year-old has been earning rave reviews for his performances in the Championship where he has helped Watford, who secured his services on a season long loan, become genuine contenders for a top six finish.

Chalobah has played a key role in Gianfranco Zola's side and despite being thought of as a defensive midfielder he has even chipped in with four league goals to help the Hertfordshire club climb to third in the table.

Watford will hope that the midfielder can help them secure a place in the automatic promotion spots as they are just two points behind second-placed Hull.

His impressive performances are thought to have caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs, with the Evening Standard reporting that Arsenal were interested in persuading him to move to north London.

However, Chelsea are determined to keep hold of one of their most exciting talents and are now reportedly ready to offer him a new three year contract.

Chalobah, whose current contract expires next summer, has made such rapid progress this season that he has forced his way into the plans of England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce and will start in tonight's friendly against Romania.

It is perhaps little surprise to Chelsea that the midfielder has progressed so quickly as they originally named him on the bench for a League Cup game against Newcastle back in 2010 when he was just 15-years-old.

While Chelsea are determined to secure his long-term future it is believed that they would be prepared to send him on loan again next season but it this time to a Premier League club in order for him to continue his development.