Wigan and Watford are the favourites to secure Chelsea starlet Nathaniel Chalobah on loan for the season.
The 19-year-old earned rave reviews with his performances for the Hornets last season, prompting Jose Mourinho to scout him in the Championship playoff final before he had been officially confirmed as the new Chelsea manager.
Mourinho has seemingly reached the decision that he won’t be able to accommodate Chalobah regularly this season and is prepared to let him go out on loan again.
Watford are keen to bring him back to Vicarage Road, while Wigan are lining him up as a replacement for the recently departed James McCarthy.
The England Under-21 international’s performances for Gianfranco Zola’s side earned him a new contract at Stamford Bridge. Watford are unable to pay his new £35,000-a-week wages, but the Latics would be prepared to cover his salary in full.
That makes the Latics the frontrunners to complete the deal. But if Chalobah presses for a return to Watford, the Blues might oblige.
