LA PAZ (Reuters):
A Bolivian 14-year-old who does not earn enough to pay for his bus fares to go training says he is stunned by rumours that English premier league Chelsea are interested in him.
Youngest player
The Bolivian media have been awash with reports midfielder Su?rez, who became the youngest player in Libertadores Cup history when he turned out for Blooming against Santos in January, could be given a trial by Chelsea.
However, the player, his agent and Blooming technical director Oswaldo Paz all deny any contact has been made.
"I found out that Chelsea were after me when I was watching TV," Suerez told Reuters in a telephone interview.
The teenager, who lives in a poor town around 50 km from Santa Cruz, Bolivia's largest city, does not earn enough to pay for the transport costs to travel to practice.
"He has a contract with Blooming, but it's a deal with many disadvantages ... He does not even earn the minimum salary," said his agent Modesto Molina.
"He's been earning 400 Bolivianos a month, that's not even $50, not enough to pay the transport costs to go to the place where he trains."
Despite the denial, Su?rez, who marked Brazil's World Cup midfielder Ze Roberto in the games against Santos, said his hopes had been raised.
"If it happens, it's going to be an amazing opportunity, and I've got to make the best of it," he said.
"I hope to earn more if I play for Chelsea."