Manchester City and Chelsea have both made contact with the agent of Sporting Lisbon winger Joelson Fernandes, according to reports in the Portuguese media.

Arsenal are believed to be locked in negotiations about signing the 17-year-old but they recently had a second bid, said to be worth €32m (£29m), rejected for the player.

Joelson’s agent is Kia Joorabchian and his close connections with the Gunners mean the London club are favourites to land the Portuguese Under 17 international. However, with Sporting refusing to sell for below the teenager’s €45m (£41m) release clause, it could allow both City and Chelsea into the race.

Meetings are reportedly expected to take place this week between officials from the two Premier League clubs and Sporting to see whether a deal can be agreed.

One thing to note is that before this transfer speculation, Joorabchian was in negotiations to get Joelson a new contract so there is a possibility that City’s name is being used to get the player a better deal.