Chelsea advance in talks to sign Caleb Wiley from Atlanta United
Chelsea have been busy so far in the summer transfer window and are now looking to add a left-back to their squad with the deals for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Guiu nearly across the line and only pending official confirmation.
Since a couple of years, Ben Chilwell has had a number of fitness worries whereas Marc Cucurella has not impressed at left-back, prompting the Blues to look at making a much-needed newer acquisition in the very demanding full-back role.
The Athletic has reported that they are progressing with the signing of Caleb Wiley from MLS outfit Atlanta United, with the possibility open of him joining BlueCo’s Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg as well.
Todd Boehly’s consortium owns BlueCo and some Chelsea players have already enjoyed spells at Strasbourg in recent years as a result of the shared ownership of both clubs.
Wiley, 19, is one of the best young prospects in the MLS and though he is not a discovery made in South America, this time around, Chelsea have found a potential long-term answer to their full-back problems in the United States.
It is still to be known how much Chelsea are going to pay for Wiley if they sign him, but one would expect the price tag to be fairly reasonable and affordable for the Blues after they recently sold Ian Maatsen to Borussia Dortmund.
Their immediate plans in case Wiley’s transfer gets closed out are also unclear, but the player might spend the foreseeable future on loan at Strasbourg or another European club to continue his development.
Chilwell has been absent from action and Chelsea will hope that next season he finally recaptures his form and fitness. The Englishman is among the best in the business when fully fit, but unfortunately, that has not been the case of late.
Cucurella, meanwhile, is the regular left-back for Spain at Euro 2024 and is in a solid run of form, which Enzo Maresca will undoubtedly hope for the former Barcelona star to take into the upcoming campaign at club level.
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An answer on Wiley’s future will be due imminently as he is not participating in this year’s Copa America edition but is due to play in the Olympics later in July for the United States. Chelsea, in advanced talks, will be confident that they can sign him.