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Chelsea among top European clubs eyeing Gambian 15-year-old midfielder - and are weighing up stealing a march on the competition as he stars in U17 tournament
Sep 22 2026 12:49 · By Simon Jones · 6 Reads
Chelsea are among a number of top European clubs tracking highly-rated Gambian teenager Adama Jeng.
The 6ft 2in midfielder, still only 15, has been impressing for Gambia's Under-17 national team at the WAFU Zone A U-17 tournament in Senegal.
Gambia, known as the Baby Scorpions, beat the hosts 5-3 on penalties to win the final on Monday.
Jeng, who turns 16 in December, is regarded as one of the most promising talents in African football and has been excelling in the holding midfield role.
He has come through the Samger FC academy, who have a proven track record of developing young talents for Europe.
The teenager's performances and potential have alerted Europe's top clubs who recognise he is one of the most talented midfielders in his age group.
Adama Jeng has attracted interest from several big clubs across Europe
Bayern Munich, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Paris FC along with Chelsea are all understood to have been monitoring Jeng's progress during the WAFU tournament in Dakar.
His suitors are expected to continue keeping tabs on the midfielder as they weigh up a move.
Chelsea are highly competitive in recruiting talent at that age group and see Jeng as a potential star in the making.
They are assessing whether to move swiftly to head off competition from their rivals with Monaco and Union Saint-Gilloise also in the running.