Chelsea Make Offer for 19-Year-Old Defender Aaron Anselmino

Chelsea have offered a four-year deal to Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino, who was previously linked with Manchester United, according to transfer insider Uriel Iugt.

The Blues have opened negotiations with Boca Juniors over a £13.5m deal to sign the talented centre-back Anselmino, who is reportedly already one of the best-paid players in the Argentinian side.

In March, reports in Argentina claimed Manchester United were willing to trigger Anselmino’s £18.5m release clause – the highly-rated defender was on multiple clubs’ radar this year.

AC Milan and Real Madrid also pursued a move for the 19-year-old, who has already made 10 senior appearances for Boca Juniors and scored one goal.

Anselmino broke into the first team last year and received praise from Boca president Juan Roman Riquelme, who admired his work ethic and said ‘he is going to be a great footballer’ in the future.

According to recent reports, Anselmino’s release clause is no longer valid – he signed a new contract on improved terms this year and Boca decided not to include a clause in the new deal.

Anselmino, who joined Boca’s academy aged 12, earlier this year responded to transfer rumours by saying ‘my head is here, I want to win a title with Boca’.

After spending more than £1bn on transfers in Todd Boehly’s era, Chelsea show no signs of stopping as of now – the Blues are keen to support new boss Enzo Maresca ahead of his first season and bring in new players after finishing just sixth under Mauricio Pochettino last season.