West Bromwich Albion have rejected a bid from Chelsea for 16 year old Isaiah Brown who made his first-team debut against Wigan last season, making him the second-youngest player to appear in a Premier League match. A statement on West Brom's official website read: "Albion have rejected an offer from Chelsea for academy product Isaiah Brown.

"Under Premier League rules the Baggies are due compensation from the London club for the 16-year-old midfielder, who has been at the Hawthorns for three years and had agreed to sign scholarship forms."

Baggies sporting and technical director Richard Garlick said: "We are disappointed by Chelsea's offer.

"We have invested a lot of time and money in Isaiah's development as a player and - as one of our most exciting Academy products in recent years - we had hoped to bring him through into our first team.

"But Chelsea have forced our hands and we are more than prepared for the matter to be decided by a tribunal if needs be.

"More importantly, it makes you question why these young players are joining bigger clubs when they are likely to gain more first-team opportunities in the Barclays Premier League at clubs similar to us."