London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal are battling for the signature of Marseille sensation Robinio Vaz, according to a report.
The 18-year-old striker is enjoying a breakthrough season as a first-team player under head coach Roberto De Zerbi after making his professional debut for the French giants in January.
Vaz has chipped in with four goals and two assists in 12 Ligue 1 appearances for a Marseille outfit who sit second in the table, just two points behind reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain at the summit.
While Mason Greenwood has grabbed the headlines with a team-high 11 goals in 16 games, Vaz has also received plenty of plaudits for his form in front of goal and impressive rise at senior level.
The 2007-born teenage talent, who holds dual nationality with France and Guinea-Bissau, is understood to have caught the attention of top clubs in Europe, with a big-money move to the Premier League having already been mooted.
La pépite marseillaise : Robinio Vaz ? pic.twitter.com/bi3l1ZR2oA
— Ligue 1 McDonald's (@Ligue1) October 29, 2025
Chelsea ahead of Arsenal in Vaz race after ‘establishing early contact’
According to CaughtOffside, both Chelsea and Arsenal have set their sights on signing Vaz from Marseille, but it is the former who have been the 'most proactive' at present in their pursuit of the striker.
The Blues are said to have established early contact with Vaz’s representatives and maintain open communication with Marseille’s hierarchy over a potential transfer.
It is claimed that Chelsea are exploring the possibility of launching a formal bid in the January transfer window, with Enzo Maresca’s side keen to bolster their squad with more young attacking players which fits with the club’s long-term project.
As for Arsenal, they are said to have taken a more ‘patient’ approach in their pursuit of Vaz, who is viewed by head coach Mikel Arteta as an investment for the future rather than an immediate first-team arrival.
The Gunners’ recruitment team has been keeping a close eye on the striker since he first represented France at youth level in 2023 and they believe he could be a ‘perfect fit’ for their attack in the future.
As things stand, Marseille are under no immediate pressure to part ways with Vaz, who is under contract until June 2028 and is valued between €20m (£17.6m) and €30m (£26.4m), a figure they believe reflects his growing status and potential.
Sources claim that an unnamed European club have already seen a bid for Vaz rejected by Marseille, who only intend to negotiate any proposed transfer on their terms.