Chelsea are reportedly closing in on the signature of Chile international Charles Aranguiz.
According to The Telegraph, the Premier League champions have agreed a transfer fee with Internacional for the sale of the midfielder after spending the weekend negotiating a deal, which the English newspaper states is now nearing completion.
The Telegraph, however, do not state the fee that is said to have been agreed; however, the Daily Star have previously claimed that the 26-year-old carries a price-tag of £8m – a figure the west London giants would certainly not struggle to meet.
What’s more, according to the Daily Star, Chelsea have an excellent relationship with Internacional after signing Oscar from the Brazilian outfit in 2012, which may have eased discussions.
Aranguiz was in excellent form throughout the 2014-15 campaign, and continued his impressive performances at this summer’s Copa America tournament – in which the Chile international helped his team to lift the coveted South American trophy.
The central midfielder started all six games for the host nation – scoring two goals and registering one assist – dominating the centre of the park along with Hamburg’s Marcelo Díaz and Juventus’ Arturo Vidal.
SEE ALSO:
Read the latest Chelsea transfer news!
Chelsea transfer news: DEAL AGREED with Arsenal target, £21m Barcelona winger CLOSE, & more
The Blues have been fairly quiet in the summer window so far – with former Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao and Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic [via Sky Sports] the only major additions to Jose Mourinho’s side.
Recent reports have heavily linked Chelsea with Barcelona’s Pedro [via The Guardian] and Real Madrid’s Isco [via the Metro], yet it seems that Aranguiz is more likely to be the latest name to make the move to Stamford Bridge.
With Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas, Oscar, Ramires and John Obi Mikel, as well as rising youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek, all fighting for a central midfield role, it’s difficult to ascertain where the Chilean could fit into Mourinho’s XI – unless sacrifices are made this summer.
Oscar and Mikel have been linked with west London exits, yet Mourinho has previously expressed his desire for both to stay put [via BBC Sport and the Express].
Midfield could certainly, therefore, be overcrowded at the Blues next season.
Arsenal and Manchester City were also rumoured to be keeping an eye on the availability of Aranguiz this summer, while Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen allegedly watched his performances at the Copa America [via the Daily Mail].
COMMENTS