Chelsea are intensifying their efforts to wrap up a January deal for PSV Eindhoven's Noni Madueke, who has emerged as a lightning-hot prospect since his arrival in Netherlands in 2018.

A product of Tottenham Hotspur's academy, the 20-year-old is indeed attracting mounting attention after captivating onlookers with his dynamic forward performances.

What's the news?

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have already tabled a £26m bid for the starlet. However, with Madueke's club, led by manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, demanding at least £35m for his signature, Todd Boehly might have to break the bank once again.

The Chelsea owner has spent roughly £315m since assuming the ownership role less than a year ago, with the £52.4m release clause for RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku also being met.

Previously, The Times stated that Blues boss Graham Potter is enamoured with the player's skill-set, holding a deep admiration and consequently actively pursuing a move.

Following Liverpool's recent £35m signing of the prolific Cody Gakpo, there is uncertainty surrounding the likelihood of PSV granting the departure of another enthralling wide option in the same transfer window, especially with the club firmly within Eredivisie title contention.

Potter could get fans back onside

Despite only taking the job four months ago, Potter's position at Chelsea already looks precarious, with some supporters singing the name of his predecessor Thomas Tuchel at recent games amid a ten-match sequence which has seen the Blues defeated seven times.

However, the 47-year-old could get his dissenters back onside if he can bring Madueke back to London, except this time to SW6 rather than N17.

Having scored nine goals and supplied six assists last term from 35 appearances, becoming a regular presence for PSV despite his inexperience, the youngster announced himself in resounding fashion.

This season, despite seeing large proportions of the campaign hampered by injury, the 20-year-old has found the net on two occasions despite only starting three times, a testament to his innate clinical prowess.

As per Sofascore, his average match rating of 7.15 in the league has been complemented by his peppering output - match averages of 2.3 shots, 1.5 key passes and three tackles are all indicators of the robust aura that he holds on the pitch.

Judging by such intensity levels, Chelsea could very well flourish with his inclusion, especially amid the club's current woes, languishing in tenth place in the Premier League and out of both domestic cups already.

Journalist Josh Bunting waxed lyrical last year about the blossoming star, praising his dynamism and blend of attributes which would indeed be a sterling addition to the Stamford Bridge ranks.

Bunting tweeted: "Noni Madueke is a terrific player he’s put PSV ahead against NAC Breda, love his game awareness, yes he’s quick and direct and on the ball terrific but for such a young player he’s got a lot of football intelligence, just knows what to do when he picks up the ball, entertaining."

As per FBref, the "explosive" talent - as heralded by former PSV midfielder Tommie van de Leegte - ranks within the top 1% for total shots and dribbles completed, the top 4% for rate of assists and the top 15% for pass completion when compared to positional peers across Men's Next 8 leagues, highlighting the energy that he would bring to Stamford Bridge.

Interestingly, he is also among the top 1% for xG (expected goals), despite only ranking in the top 19% for successful strikes.

While this indicates an element of wayward finishing, his positional play and gliding movement in dangerous areas is evidently an innate part of his game, and something which can be nurtured under the guidance of Potter, hopefully blossoming into one of the most devastating attackers in England.