Samir Nasri Manchester City
Samir Nasri developed at the same Marseilles academy as Maxime Lopez.

Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are all reportedly keen on signing Olympique Marseille starlet Maxime Lopez.

The 16-year-old midfielder is considered one of the diamonds of the prolific Marseille academy, who have produced a number of football stars such as Samir Nasri.

According to French newspaper La Provence, the talented midfielder is being monitored by a number of big European clubs and Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City have already approached his entourage to secure his services.

Lopez is currently playing in Marseille's Under-17 youth team and he has impressed the European scouts during this season's UEFA Youth League, which is like a Champions League for young players.

The French starlet scored one goal and grabbed two assists during Marseille's six group games, against Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli.

La Provence claims that Marseille are anxious about the possibility of losing their prized young player, and they are desperately trying to convince Lopez's family to let him stay at France by offering a new five-year contract which will guarantee Lopez first-team football in just two years.

Nevertheless a source from the French side, quoted by La Provence, has admitted that the player is tempted by a move to a rich Premier League club.

"If a foreign club offers €20,000 per month to a 16-year-old kid, plus a stake to the parents, what can you do?" asked the source.

"This is the law of the football business, but we hope he'll choose with his heart."

Liverpool FC