West Bromwich Albion have confirmed they have turned down an offer from Chelsea for their teenage midfielder Isaiah Brown.

Brown, 16, made his debut for the midlands outfit last season, coming off the bench in the 3-2 Premier League home loss to Wigan in May – his sole senior appearance to date.

He has been capped by England at Under-16 and Under-17 level.

A statement on West Brom’s official website said: “Albion have today rejected an offer from Chelsea for academy product Isaiah Brown.

“Under English 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.”

Albion 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 Premier League at clubs similar to us.”