Chelsea chiefs 'blocking' transfer deal which would help Liverpool and Man Utd massively

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is keen to hold onto Josh Acheampong (Image: Getty)

Chelsea's transfer stance on wonderkid Josh Acheampong could have knock-on effects for Liverpool and Manchester United.

All three Premier League heavyweights will be keeping a close eye on Real Madrid's hunt for a new full-back, as it may have consequences for any one one of them.

According to The Independent, 18-year-old Chelsea prospect Acheampong has emerged as a serious transfer target for Los Blancos, who are on the hunt for reinforcements following Dani Carvajal's long-term injury. But the same report states that Enzo Maresca's side intend to block the move as they have no plans to sell one of the finest recent products of their academy system.

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Real satisfying their full-back craving by signing Acheampong would no doubt spark a sigh of relief from Liverpool chiefs. The La Liga giants are reportedly eyeing up Trent Alexander-Arnold to replace Carvajal and a contract offer could be slapped on the table once the January transfer window opens - at which point the Reds academy product will have just six months left on his deal.

However, senior figures at the Bernabeu are believed to be growing concerned about the kind of wages it would take to prise Alexander-Arnold away from his boyhood club.

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As a teenager with little senior experience, Acheampong would naturally command a lower salary. But there are no guarantees he would go on to reach the same level as Alexander-Arnold once he matures.

Josh Acheampong does not turn 19 until May next year (Image: Getty)

United's vested interest involves Alphonso Davies. The Red Devils are thought to be keeping tabs on the flying Bayern Munich full-back who, like Alexander-Arnold, will be a free agent at the end of the season as things stand.

Real Madrid are also keen on Davies and could provide stiff competition for United next summer - unless the arrival of Acheampong convinces manager Carlo Ancelotti that he has enough full-back cover, despite the Chelsea youngster playing primarily on the opposite flank to his Bayern counterpart.

Los Blancos are thin on the ground on the right but fairly well equipped on the left, where Ferland Mendy currently lays claim to the starting role, making Davies a lower priority.

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Chelsea's reported stance is a firm one and Maresca is a big fan of Acheampong, who has made one substitute appearance in the Carabao Cup this season and also has admirers at Tottenham and Newcastle.

"I really like Josh," said Maresca in September. "For me, potentially, he can be a top player, a top defender in the future. With young players, I have a lot of experience and I like to moderate them a little bit because today young players can change very quickly. They can quickly think they are so good or so bad, so you need to moderate a little bit the way that they join us."