Chelsea Signs Boca Juniors Star Aaron Anselmino in $18 Million Deal

Chelsea and Boca Juniors have agreed on an $18 million deal for defender Aaron Anselmino. The 19-year-old, who debuted in 2023 and attracted interest from European giants, will remain at Boca for six more months before joining the Premier League. Boca fans will get additional time to enjoy his presence.

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)