Chelsea chiefs jet in to close fourth summer transfer with fee and personal terms agreed
Boca Juniors’ 19-year-old centre-back Aaron Anselmino is set to become Chelsea’s third summer signing following deals for Tosin Adarabioyo, Willian Estevao and Barcelona youngster Marc Guiu
Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Aaron Anselmino (Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea have delegates in Argentina finalising the signing of highly-rated teenage Boca Juniors central defender Aaron Anselmino.
It’s understood the Blues have now reached a broad agreement on a fee for the 19-year-old and will pay just shy of his £20million release clause, including bonuses.
Yet despite thrashing out the framework of the transfer, there is still one key sticking point that sees the two clubs locked in ongoing discussions.
Chelsea initially hoped to bring Anselmino to Europe this summer, potentially looking at him in pre-season before loaning him to sister club Strasbourg in France.
However, Boca have other ideas as they’re desperately short at the back and ideally, they would like to maintain the services of the player – most likely on loan – until 2025.
The Blues have moved quickly as there was an element of fear that other clubs could pounce to hijack a deal with Manchester United and AC Milan also among Anselmino’s admirers following extensive scouting.
Personal terms are already in place between Chelsea and the ball-playing defender and he is thought to be sold on the idea of moving to Stamford Bridge after being presented with their ambitious vision.
Anselmino is considered a signing for the future and it’s unlikely he’ll form a part of Enzo Maresca’s immediate first-team plans. Additionally, he has recently been nursing a muscle problem and has been granted permission by Boca to spend some time with his family, though he is expected to return to training in the coming days.
Chelsea remain in the market for another central defender despite snapping up Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham amid growing expectation that Trevoh Chalobah will depart.
Chelsea have enquired about Murillo of Nottingham Forest ( Image:
Getty Images) They recently made an enquiry for Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian stalwart Murillo to gauge an idea of the finances involved in a potential deal. Forest are no longer under pressure to sell to remain compliant with PSR rules and are therefore set to demand a premium for the 21-year-old.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were previously in the hunt for Chalobah but the 24-year-old rejected a move to the City Ground – limited any chance of the player being offered in a player-plus-cash deal for Murillo. The club are also still focused on landing some attacking reinforcements with a striker and winger still of interest.
Athletic Club starlet Nico Williams appears to be out of financial reach but Chelsea have also made checks on several other wide attackers such as Crysencio Summerville and Maximilian Beier. Ademola Lookman is also understood to have attracted admirers at Stamford Bridge following his stunning Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen.
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