Reports: Chelsea and Arsenal to rival Barcelona and Real Madrid for 'next Pique'

What's the story?

The race for Iker San Vicente's signature is hotting up, with Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal making overtures to sign the Osasuna youngster, according to a report in British news outlet, The Mirror. The 16-year-old has rejected offers of a professional contract with his club and will be available for free, which has led to Europe's Top clubs into a frenzy of bidding, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus also in the mix to sign the centre-back, who's been dubbed the 'next Gerard Pique'.

In case you didn't know...

Despite being 16 years of age, Iker San Vicente towers above his fellow teammates with a height of 1.90m. He is the most promising product to come out of Osasuna's academy in over a decade, with the youngster captaining the youth side plenty of times. His composure on the ball, as well as his intercepting abilities have earned him plenty of plaudits. Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao reportedly tried to steal the youngster away last year, only for the centre-back to commit himself to the club he was developed at.

The heart of the matter

Osasuna may be left without nothing, now that Vicente has rejected their offer of a two-year deal with a buy-out clause. However, the Spanish club are likely to appeal to a FIFA tribunal for a compensatory development fee from the club that will sign him, given that the Basque club are estimated to have spent €1 million on the centre-back's development.

The prospect of a tribunal fee will not deter the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, who have paid such fees in the past, with the Gunners having previously done so for Fran Merida. Both clubs have sent scouts to watch Vicente's games for Osasuna, who have reportedly come back impressed.

The battle for his signature is likely to be feisty, as Real Madrid and Barcelona are also involved. However, the youngster reportedly is in favour of a move abroad, much like what Gerard Pique did with Manchester United early in his career and later moving back to FC Barcelona.

What next?

The youngster has reportedly been barred from training with his youth teammates at Osasuna, who are quite miffed with his decision to reject a contract, having developed him from a young age.

Author's Take:

The fact that the very best of Spanish clubs are involved may prove to be a hindrance, but if the success story of Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique are anything to go by, then Arsenal and Chelsea would be well served by beating out Real Madrid and Barcelona's offers by a large margin.