CHELSEA are plotting to beat Arsenal to the signature of Middlesbrough’s striker starlet Calum Kavanagh.
The Stamford Bridge club have set their sights on the 16-year-old, who is the son of former top player Graham and the shining light in Boro’s youth ranks.
Kavanagh junior is keen to make it on Teesside — but his club have yet to sort out a long-term contract that suits him.
Boro want to tie him down to an extended deal but the youngster would rather agree a shorter stay to see how his career maps out.
Chelsea hope to take advantage and step in for Kavanagh, trying to persuade him to come to London to join their ranks with a shot at making Frank Lampard’s first-team squad.
The Gunners are also keen on the Irish teenager but Stamford Bridge chiefs seem to be winning the battle.
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Calum’s dad Graham was an Irish international midfielder and featured for Boro, Stoke and Cardiff.
Forward-thinking Chelsea are also leading the pursuit of Billy Gilmour’s kid brother Harvey.
Their scouts are tracking the ball-playing midfielder, 14, who is currently starring for Kilmarnock’s youth team.
Killie want to keep Gilmour junior in their ranks but insiders reveal he will head to London in the future when the time is right.
Big brother Billy moved south via Rangers and local experts reckon Harvey could become even better than the new Chelsea hero.
Gilmour senior has certainly not forgotten his Ayrshire roots. He takes the odd quiet trip home to see local juniors Winton Rovers play.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are ready to close the deal for Hartlepool keeper Brad Young — as we first revealed.
Young, 17, has been at the club on trial for the past two weeks and a provisional fee is already agreed.
