Wonderkid tells Chelsea he's 'open' to move as 'meetings scheduled'

IFK Goteborg have witnessed a significant uptick in scouting activity at their games following the emergence of Oliver Mansson.

The 17-year-old was included in the senior side at the start of the year and really burst onto the scene over the summer. Goteborg were struggling in the early stages of the Allsvenskan season, but results improved after Mansson entered the team.

The teenager has started 15 league matches this term, with Blavitt only losing three of them. Of course, it isn't all down to Mansson, but the youngster is enjoying a mightily impressive breakout campaign.

This hasn't gone unnoticed outside of Sweden. For several weeks now, the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd have been linked with Mansson, while there have also been scouting missions from AS Roma and Bournemouth, among others.

A transfer, at least to England, isn't imminent for the youngster as he only turns 18 next August, but more and more suitors are starting to come forward. Clubs from the continent could already sign him in January.

Unlike in some countries where young players are kept away from the media, Mansson has been able to freely discuss his future with the Swedish press. In mid-October, the 17-year-old revealed that he grew up supporting Barcelona.

A couple of weeks later, he admitted that playing for any "big club," not just Barcelona, would be a "dream." This was in response to fresh links with Man Utd, with the prospect having earlier admitted that he does not support a team in the Premier League.

Now, Mansson has once again spoken to Sportbladet after starring in front of scouts from Chelsea, Bournemouth and Leicester for Goteborg against Malmo at the weekend.

"You talk to your agents about that," Mansson said when asked when he will make a decision on his future. "There's a window coming up, we'll see what happens. I haven't talked with my agent much. I'm just focusing on the rest of the season. We'll see."

"When I was little, I liked Barca, as I've said before," he reiterated before admitting: "It's a big step. I'm open to a lot. It has to be the right step and has to suit my game too."

Mansson does not rule out staying with Goteborg until the summer. "We'll see if I stay or go. If I stay, I'll just continue with Blavitt and hopefully have a good spring too," he noted.

The Swedish outlet also spoke to Blavitt's head of scouting, David Vukovic, who will be in Lisbon this week for a TransferRoom conference, where he will meet with representatives from various clubs.

Vukovic admitted that he will likely also hold talks about Mansson and his future. "If you look at the meetings that are scheduled, there are significantly more big clubs that we will meet," he explained.

"Yes [we will speak with Premier League clubs], among others. There are some from there, some from the Bundesliga. You can see that there is more interest now in booking meetings with IFK Goteborg than before."

Mansson has been a godsend for Blavitt and is expected to become the club's record sale when he departs.