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THE NAME'S BOND

Chelsea and West Ham in transfer fight for RB Leipzig kid Matthew Bondswell, 18, after impressing on loan in Holland

CHELSEA and West Ham are reportedly keen on RB Leipzig’s Matthew Bondswell.

The England Under-18 international left-back is a man in-demand after a series of impressive displays in Holland.

Chelsea and West Ham are reportedly keen on RB Leipzig’s Matthew Bondswell
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Chelsea and West Ham are reportedly keen on RB Leipzig’s Matthew BondswellCredit: Sportsfile

Former Nottingham Forest starlet Bondswell, 18, joined FC Dordrecht on a season-long loan to further his development.

His form for the Dutch second division outfit has caught the eye of the Premier League duo, according to The Telegraph.

And with Chelsea and the Hammers both keen, that could lead to a possible return to these shores in the January transfer window.

But both the Blues and their London rivals face strong competition for Bondswell.

Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, who helped bring England international and Tottenham ace Eric Dier through the ranks, also want the teen.

Bondswell shot to prominence with his displays for Forest’s youth team.

But he snubbed their offer of a pro deal two years ago in order to sign for German side Leipzig.

Both Ademola Lookman and Emile Smith-Rowe have also headed to Leipzig in the past as part of the Bundesliga side’s English imports.

The full-back could have opted for a career in athletics instead of football.

He won a silver medal in the triple jump at the English Schools Track and Field Championships in the summer of 2017.

And he also took gold in the same discipline at school level as well as competing in the 200m.

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