Chelsea seek good Kompany

Chelsea have emerged as the favourites to sign the Anderlecht defender Vincent Kompany.

The Belgian club has revealed that the Premiership leaders are the only club to have contacted them to express an interest in the 18-year-old.

Kompany was voted the Belgian Player of the Year in 2004 and is already a regular in the Belgium national team.

A host of clubs are understood to be following his progress including Arsenal, Manchester United, Milan, Internazionale, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The president of Anderlecht, Roger Vanden Stock, has confirmed that Chelsea have made the only official enquiry, although he was quick to add they have not lodged a bid.

Vanden Stock insists he is still hopeful of holding on to the player for at least one more season. He said: "The only club which has contacted us is Chelsea.I see two possibilities: Vincent says he is not yet ready to go to a top European club and wants to remain for another year, or we sell him, but reach an agreement with his new club to keep him here for a season. I am hopeful."

A trio of Premiership sides - Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham - are to move for the Verona youngster Valon Behrami at the end of the season.

All three have sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old midfielder, who is co-owned by Genoa but plays for the Serie B side Verona. Behrami, tipped as one of the most exciting talents outside the top-flight in Italy, is out of contract in the summer.