Chelsea submit £17m bid to sign Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors

Chelsea have submitted a £17.2 million bid to sign Boca Juniors centre-back Aaron Anselmino, according to reports in Argentina.

The 19-year-old came through Boca’s academy and was handed his first-team debut a year ago.

Anselmino has suffered with hamstring injury issues since making his debut and has only made 10 senior appearances for Boca in his career so far.

However, Claro Sports report that Chelsea have seen enough to be convinced by Anselmino’s potential and have now tabled an offer to Boca.

It’s claimed that Chelsea have offered $18m (£14.1m) plus a further $4m (£3.1m) in add-ons.

The report adds that Boca are expected to accept Chelsea’s offer, while Anselmino is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Speaking earlier this year Argentina legend, Juan Roman Riquelme, who is now Boca’s president, backed Anselmino to become a ‘great’ defender for the national side.

‘He has developed a lot,’ Riquelme said.

‘With the growth, the head that he has and the desire to learn that he shows, he is on his way to being a great footballer.

‘He is going to be a player for the national team. He is going to compete with the centre-backs.’

Last week, Anselmino left the pitch in tears after he suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury in the closing stages of the 1-0 win over Velez.

‘Aaron’s thing is a shame. I don’t know the degree of his injury. He was very sad. It’s a terrible play, dangerous for any footballer and on top of that he was already coming back from recovery,’ said Boca’s head coach Diego Martinez.

‘I hope the injury is as light as possible. I am sure that we will work hard again, prepare and we will have that player who I feel is going to bring a lot of joy to this club in the future.’

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