Chelsea have beaten Manchester United to highly-rated Ajax prospect Juan Familia Castillo.

The talented midfielder had been expected to join United after promising talks in November and December. He turned 16 last week and was due to sign at Old Trafford.

However, Chelsea made a late push for the Holland U16 captain and are understood to have offered greater incentives to Ajax.

Chelsea have beaten rivals Manchester United to highly-rated Ajax prospect Juan Familia Castillo

The presence of Guus Hiddink and uncertainty over United’s academy set-up is also understood to have played a part.

United signed Italy U16 centre-back Luca Ercolani last week and remain hopeful of signing FC Zurich striker Nishan Burkhart.

Chelsea are also on the lookout for added firepower this January with duo Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao strugging recently with injuries.

Radamel Falcao has proved to be a gamble gone wrong as he struggles with injury and a lack of goals

Pato could yet move to Chelsea as the west London outfit look for extra firepower in the January window

The west London club have been keeping tabs on Carlos Bacca as well as Brazilian attacker Alexander Pato who looks set to leave Corinthians.