Transfer Centre

Chelsea transfer news: 'Genuine interest' in South American defensive wonderkid

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 20 June 2024

Another day, another wonderkid? Chelsea have 'genuine interest' in defender

Chelsea are reportedly contemplating whether to make yet another approach for a South American wonderkid, this time from Argentina.

Chelsea are reportedly giving serious consideration to adding yet another South American wonderkid to their ranks.

Ever since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital arrived at Stamford Bridge in May 2022, there has been a sustained approach to adding youngsters from that part of the world to their ranks.

The likes of Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington have all arrived from Brazilian clubs, while Ecuadorian starlet Kendry Paez is due to join in 2025.

In terms of this summer's business, Chelsea are allegedly on the brink of acquiring the services of Palmeiras teenager Willian Estevao, again for a year's time.

Nevertheless, it appears that Boehly and Clearlake are plotting to secure a deal for yet another prospect with South American background.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly in February 2024. © Reuters

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have 'genuine interest' in signing Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino.

Speculation first emerged regarding Chelsea's admiration for Anselmino several weeks ago, Manchester United also said to hold an interest at that time.

However, as per Romano and reports in Argentina, Chelsea are one of the frontrunners and are aware of what it will take to secure a deal with Boca Juniors.

A proposal in the region of £17m - made up of £14m plus £3m in add-ons - is said to have already been put forward by the West Londoners, although that claim from his homeland is disputed by Romano.

Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca reacts on March 17, 2024 © Reuters

One for Maresca or Strasbourg?

Whenever Chelsea are linked with a player of this profile, it is natural of supporters to speculate when they may see him line up in a Chelsea shirt.

As recently as this week, it was revealed that Chelsea had missed out on Sport Recife prospect Pedro Lima, who deemed Wolverhampton Wanderers to be more attractive than spending the next stage of his development on loan at Strasbourg.

Anselmino is slightly more advanced in his development, accumulating 597 minutes of senior football at one of the biggest clubs in Argentina.

That said, the fact that he has collected just 47 minutes of league action across three outings suggests that Boca Juniors are yet to place full faith in the recently-turned 19-year-old.