Chelsea wonderkid 'wanted by half of Europe' could be sacrificed to balance the books

Chelsea may reportedly consider selling teen star Josh Acheampong with ‘half of Europe’ claimed to be interested in signing the defender. Acheampong penned his first professional contract with the Blues in January but may still be the subject of summer transfer interest.

The 18-year-old made his senior debut in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Tottenham earlier this month. Able to play across the back line, he is regarded as one of English football’s best young prospects.

Chelsea may therefore see a future for Acheampong at Stamford Bridge, but with increasingly concerning financial restraints, there could be a necessity to sell. The Premier League side might be at risk of breaching profit and sustainability rules in the future and need to strike off some of their eye-watering expenditure.

As Acheampong is an academy graduate, any transfer fee received for him would constitute ‘pure profit’ and look good on the club’s books. Chelsea have used the controversial loophole to ease their financial concerns, selling Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi, among others, over the last 12 months.

According to the Independent, Acheampong has ‘half of Europe’ monitoring his situation at Chelsea. At least three of the Champions League semi-finalists were reportedly seriously considering a move for the England U18 international.

Tottenham and Newcastle are also claimed to have considered buying the London-born Acheampong, who has been in Chelsea’s academy since the age of eight.

It is set to be another summer of change at Chelsea, with some stars likely to be sold to help balance the books. That is especially the case if Mauricio Pochettino’s side do not qualify for Europe due to the lack of extra revenue that scenario comes with.

Midfielder Conor Gallagher has been strongly linked with a switch to Tottenham. Like Acheampong, a fee for the vice-captain would constitute ‘pure profit’, as would departures for Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah – who reports suggest are also of interest to rival clubs.

Despite the need to recoup funds, the Evening Standard report that Chelsea are closing in on their first signing of the summer. A £52million deal for Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian is reportedly nearing completion.

Chelsea are keen to seal an agreement having missed out on Estevao’s team-mate and Brazil teen star Endrick. The striker, who scored for Brazil against England in March, will instead join Real Madrid.

Estevao is a tricky left-footed winger capable of playing both sides. He would not be able to formally join Chelsea until after he turns 18 in April 2025.