Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is eyeing Wigan Athletic wonderkid Joe Gelhardt.

The teen is rated as the hottest young prospect outside of the Premier League.

Gelhardt, 17, made his debut last season in a campaign that saw him score 12 goals in 15 appearances for the England under-17 side.

He is yet to start a game for the Latics but scored his first goal against Hull City two weeks ago and the scouts have been flocking to watch him in action, says the Daily Express.

Gelhardt is under contract for another two seasons which means Wigan will try and resist all temptation to cash in on him but could be left with little option.

Lampard earned a reputation at Derby County last season for giving youngsters a chance and that has continued with Chelsea under a two-window transfer ban.

But he would be happy to wait until the summer to bring in Gelhardt if an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ban is unsuccessful.