Chelsea agree deal with Boca Juniors to sign teenager Anselmino - source

BUENOS AIRES : Chelsea have reached an agreement with Argentine giants Boca Juniors to sign defender Aaron Anselmino in an $18 million deal, a source with the Buenos Aires-based club said on Monday.

Anselmino began his Boca career aged 12, made his first-team debut in 2023 and after 10 appearances attracted interest from European clubs, including Manchester United and AC Milan.

The Argentine side agreed with Chelsea to retain the 19-year-old for at least six more months so that fans can "enjoy" the centre-back before he joins the Premier League.

"The agreement is complete, paperwork is being exchanged. The transfer will be finalised now, but he will stay at Boca," a source told Reuters.

Boca president and former Argentina international Juan Roman Riquelme said a few days ago that Anselmino "will become a great footballer and will be a national team player".

Boca, who on Monday unveiled midfielder Tomas Belmonte as a new signing, have not given any official details on Anselmino's transfer.

(Report by Ramiro Scandolo, writing by Janina Nuno Rios, edited by Javier Leira and Ken Ferris)