Chelsea are closing in on the £17million transfer of teenage centre-back Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors.
The Blues’ South American youth revolution shows no signs of abating, with Stamford Bridge chiefs aiming to move quickly to land the 19-year-old Argentine.
Anselmino is expected to sign a six-year deal at Chelsea, with a loan to sister club Strasbourg a likely first step.
A talented central defender who can also operate in midfield, Anselmino has made 10 first-team appearances for Boca, having joined the club aged 12 and progressed through the youth ranks.
Brazil starlet Estevao Willian’s £29.5million transfer from Palmeiras has already been wrapped up, with the 17-year-old poised to move to Stamford Bridge after turning 18 in 2025.
Chelsea are also on the verge of adding Aston Villa midfielder Omari Kellyman, 18, with 18-year-old Barcelona striker Marc Guiu travelling for a medical this week with his modest £5m release clause triggered at the Camp Nou.
Chelsea already have Brazilian youngsters Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel on the Stamford Bridge books.
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Ecuador’s fast-developing starlet Kendry Paez is another South American prospect in the west London ranks, and now Chelsea want to add Anselmino to that growing stable.
Chelsea’s owners are understood to consider the South American market as offering the potential to gain added value from the most promising youth talents.
The Blues bosses appear ready to continue to tap those resources, building a plentiful and potential-rich cohort from the vast, football-obsessed continent.
Chelsea have received immediate vindication for recruiting Estevao, in the shape of the highest possible praise from current Brazil great Neymar.
The 128-cap forward has picked out Estevao as Brazil’s next big star, which will have proved music to the ears of Chelsea’s ambitious owners.
“I think Estevao is the big talent that is coming in Brazilian football,” Neymar told Brazil Edition. “I think he will be a genius.”
