Transfer News: Chelsea to battle AC Milan for 19-year-old Belgian midfielder

Transfer Update: Chelsea are keen on signing Wolfsburg midfielder Aster Vranckx

According to Calciomercato (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are interested in signing 19-year-old midfield starlet Aster Vranckx from Wolfsburg. 

Aster Vranckx has become a key player for VfL Wolfsburg. The 19-year-old midfielder has been putting in some electrifying performances in the Bundesliga. This season, he has already made 11 appearances for the German side. Some elite teams have already tracked down the young talent in order to sign him.

It is believed that Chelsea have shown interest in the Belgian midfielder. However, the Blues aren’t alone as AC Milan have also kept tabs on the teenager’s relationship with his current club. 

The Blues have faced a mid-season midfield crisis in recent times. With N’Golo Kanté and Mateo Kovačić’s injury, Thomas Tuchel has played without 2 of his first choice midfielders.

Moreover, Jorginho has been suffering from back pain in recent times. In addition to that, Ruben Loftus-Cheek also missed a Champions League clash due to injury. 

Even though Thomas Tuchel has some alternatives for the position, they haven’t provided any convincing performances lately. Ross Barkley has seen a drop in performance. Whereas, Saúl Ñíguez’s loan deal from Atletico Madrid has been a sheer disappointment. The German manager even played him at left wing-back due to a lack of consistent performances in his favoured midfield position. 

The situation reached a point where Thomas Tuchel had to play Reece James in midfield position to cover up for the losses, when the Englishman partnered Ross Barkley in the centre of the pitch in a 3-3 draw vs Zenit.

Chelsea should be wary of similar injury issues in the future and it is always wise to add quality depth to our team. Saul’s move in the summer was a loan move to begin with, while Jorginho and Kante aren’t getting any younger.

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The Blues have Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour out on loan as well. They are consistent starters for Crystal Palace and Norwich City respectively. It is important that we assess their progress and futures at the club before going out to add new faces in midfield.

Vranckx’s move could hamper their development but if the club sees that there is a need to future-proof in midfield, it’s not a logic that we can argue with. Moreover, who doesn’t love when their club signs a young, promising talent?