Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are closely monitoring Chelsea's rising star, Josh Acheampong, as the London club faces pressure to sell the talented right-back amid mounting squad and financial concerns.
The 18-year-old Acheampong, regarded as one of Chelsea’s most promising young talents, has caught the attention of European giants Real Madrid and PSG. As Chelsea navigates the challenges of a bloated squad and stringent Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the club may be forced to consider selling the young defender, with a potential fee of around €15 million ($16.4m) being speculated.
Acheampong’s versatility and ability to play both right-back and centre-back makes him a highly attractive prospect for Madrid and PSG.
Both clubs are seeking reliable deputies for their current star right-backs, Dani Carvajal and Achraf Hakimi, and see Acheampong as a future successor who could step into the first team with more regularity than he might at Chelsea.
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Chelsea continue selling spree
The London club’s current situation, with a squad bursting at 44 professionals, places additional pressure to offload players. Academy graduates like Acheampong are particularly vulnerable, as their sales offer "pure profit" due to the lack of any associated purchase fees.
This financial strategy has already seen Chelsea part with other academy talents like Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount, creating unease among the club's youth ranks.
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As top clubs increasingly focus on securing young talents, Acheampong’s potential move could set a precedent, similar to Manchester United's recent €60 million ($65.5m) acquisition of 18-year-old Leny Yoro from Lille. While Acheampong has yet to clock as many senior minutes as Yoro, his development within a top Premier League academy has positioned him as a highly sought-after player in the transfer market.
Chelsea's financial constraints, combined with the need to trim their squad, may lead to Acheampong’s departure sooner rather than later. For Madrid and PSG, this represents an opportunity to secure a promising defender who could play a significant role in their future plans.
