Chelsea take first steps to close in on signing 19-year-old La Liga starlet

Chelsea could complete a deal for 19-year-old Barcelona talent Ilaix Moriba

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, via Inside Futbol (h/t football.london), Chelsea could be closing in on a deal to sign Ilaix Moriba this summer.

The Barcelona talent has been on the radar of several clubs this summer, including the Blues and the London club have now made an offer to sign the youngster. 

Moriba broke into the Barcelona senior team in the second half of last season and impressed the coaches at Barcelona as he featured heavily for the club towards the end of the season, making 14 appearances in the league, while he also managed to score 1 goal and provide 3 assists from the midfield in the process.

The 19-year-old was a special talent since the beginning, courtesy of which the Catalonian-based outfit had inserted an £86million release clause on the player when he was just 16-years-old. 

While that could have warded off suitors initially, Moriba is now said to have refused a contract extension at the club, and with his current deal set to expire in 2022, Barcelona are said to be willing to let the player leave for £17million this summer. 

The Blues have seen this as an opportunity to sign the player up as he could provide reinforcements in the centre of the park – something the Blues could do with. Thomas Tuchel only has Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, and Mateo Kovacic in at his disposal, after the club decided to loan out Billy Gilmour. 

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Moreover, given that Tiemoue Bakayoko is also close to sealing a loan move away from the club, Moriba could serve as a pivotal asset to the club. Given his age and talent, the Blues would be completing a clever coup if they do manage to get the player’s signature.

While the West London outfit have only submitted a bid until now, it remains to be seen if they can get a deal over the line before deadline day i.e., 31st of August.