Who is Aaron Anselmino? The Argentine wonderkid in talks over €20m Chelsea transfer

Suraj Radia

20 Jun 2024 21:00 BST
4 min read

Chelsea have been linked with a transfer for another South American wonderkid this summer, with talks over a move for Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino said to be underway.

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The Blues are expecting to operate under tight financial constraints this summer but plans have already been made to sign Brazilian teenager Estevao for €57 million next summer, while Ecuador international Kendry Paez will also join the club in 2025.

And Anselmino could be the next young South American in line for a switch to Stamford Bridge, with negotiations under way over a transfer worth around €20m.

But just who is the Argentine defender that Chelsea are looking to beat their rivals to? FootballTransfers takes a look.

What position does Aaron Anselmino play?

Anselmino is primarily a centre-back however he can also play in midfield if need be.

How good is Aaron Anselmino?

Anselmino has only played ten games for Boca, having joined the Argentine club’s academy as a 12-year-old and making his debut in June 2023.

He has been described by the media as a tower that clears everything head-on and almost always prevails in one-on-one situations’ despite a modest height for a centre-back at 6 foot 1 inches.

Hamstring injuries have limited Anselmino’s involvement over the past 12 months but he has made five appearances this season for Boca, including two in the Copa Sudamericana, where he scored his first ever goal for the club.

Aaron Anselmino to Chelsea, who says NO? pic.twitter.com/c01k0btqfZ
— 8🇦🇷 (@PeakEnz0) June 20, 2024

The teenager has yet to feature for Argentina’s national team at any level but he signed a new contract in January 2024 containing a release clause thought to be worth around €25m, such is the esteem Boca hold him in.

Anselmino’s progress earned him high praise from club president and legend Juan Roman Riquelme, who earlier this year said : “He has developed a lot.

“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.”

However, injuries could be a significant problem for the teenager, with Anselmino leaving the pitch in tears earlier this month after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring concern.

“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,’ Boca’s head coach Diego Martinez said.

“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.”

What clubs are interested in Aaron Anselmino?

Chelsea are thought to have the strongest interest in Anselmino and are looking to avoid any battle for his signature by signing him before any other sides declare a formal interest, with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United said to be in the running.