Chelsea and Liverpool could reportedly slug it out over the mid-season transfer window for the Barcelona teenager Alex Balde, according to Spanish media outlet Sport, as quoted by the Daily Express.

The Blues are set to go head-to-head with The Reds for the 17-year-old defender.

The report adds, the two Premier League sides have approached Balde’s representatives about a potential move to the Premier League.

The Catalan giants are weighing up the idea of promoting the left-back to the first-team squad to ensure the prospect remains happy at Camp Nou.

Chelsea signed Xavier Mbuyamba from Barcelona on a free transfer earlier this summer.