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Liam GracePublished Oct 17, 2024, 10:46am|Updated Oct 17, 2024, 10:47am
Real Madrid are plotting a move for Chelsea starlet Josh Acheampong in the January transfer window, according to reports.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is a big fan of the 18-year-old, previously insisting that he is a youngster who has been ‘brave’ and ‘showed personality’.
Acheampong joined Chelsea’s academy as an Under-8 – and despite signing his first professional contract with the Blues this year – they could be set to lose him.
That’s because Spanish giants Real Madrid are considering a move for the English teenager, viewing him as a short-term right-back option and a future superstar.
Madrid have a long-standing interest in Acheampong – The Independent have reported – and that has only increased due to a current injury crisis at the club.
Dani Carvajal has suffered a serious knee issue while back-up centre-half Joan Martinez has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
That means that Acheampong, who can operate at right-back or centre-back, could be thrown straight into the Madrid XI if he joins Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
It should be noted, though, that Chelsea have no desire whatsoever to sell their wonderkid, who is very much viewed as a jewel of their Cobham academy.
Real Madrid would have to put in a serious bid to test Chelsea’s resistance – but that isn’t particularly farfetched – given they’re having second thoughts over No.1 choice Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The La Liga champions have been strongly linked with Alexander-Arnold but are now believed to be weighing up his huge wage demands and if they actually need a more defensive-minded right-back.
Real Madrid could face competition from a number of other clubs to sign Acheampong from Chelsea.
Three Premier League clubs – Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham – are all also monitoring Acheampong ahead of a possible transfer battle in January.
Acheampong made his Premier League debut for Chelsea against Spurs last term and featured in the Carabao Cup win over Barrow AFC earlier this season.
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