Chelsea Transfer News: Blues 'considering' move for 18 y/o contract rebel

Chelsea could take advantage of a breakdown in contract talks to sign another South American transfer target.

The Blues have been keen explorers of South America under Todd Boehly, bringing the likes of Estevao and Andrey Santos to the club from the continent.

Enzo Maresca’s side have also welcomed Argentinian duo Enzo Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho in recent seasons, adding to the South American flavour at Stamford Bridge.

Never resting on their laurels when it comes to recruiting young talent, it appears that a developing situation in Argentina has alerted the Blues as they seek another wonderkid from that part of the world.

According to Fichajes, Chelsea are ‘carefully considering’ an approach for River Plate winger Ian Subiabre after contract talks recently broke down.

Subiabre is thought to have refused a new deal at the Buenos Aires club, handing the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona the opportunity to swoop in and secure a January deal.

While it is noted that Barcelona are also admirers of Subiabre, the Catalans are working on a tight budget, with Chelsea having the capacity to blow them out of the water financially.

Not only does this potentially make the Blues favourites for the teenager’s signature, but River Plate have seemingly accepted that they are to let Subiabre go in order to avoid releasing him for nothing.

Indeed, Fichajes states that the situation between club and player has ‘reached a point of no return’.

While a number of youngsters, such as Deivid Washington, have made the journey from South America to west London without much success, players like Estevao have shown that talent can earn a spot in Chelsea’s first-team plans, regardless of age.

There is every chance Subiabre sees Barcelona as a more promising destination for his career, but it seems clear that Chelsea are in the more powerful position as they reportedly seek to offer a package that the youngster cannot refuse.

A versatile forward who has played across the frontline in his short senior career to date, the circumstances surrounding Subiabre’s inevitable exit look to have presented Chelsea with an opportunity that seems too good to pass up.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.