Future Chelsea star: Strasbourg close in on USMNT wonderkid - Romano

Tom Weber

Updated: 29 Jun 2024 21:49 BST
4 min read

Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea, Strasbourg — © IMAGO

Strasbourg are 'making good progress' in pursuit of Caleb Wiley, according to French media and Fabrizio Romano.

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The Atlanta United youngster enjoyed a real breakout season in 2023 and firmly put his name on the map. In fact, it was a surprise that he remained with the Five Stripes through the January transfer window.

With the Georgian side once again enduring a difficult season, currently languishing in ninth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, now seems like the ideal time for Wiley to jump ship in a bid to further develop.

Though the 19-year-old has retained his place in the side so far in 2024, he has struggled to have the same kind of impact as last year, when he posted four goals and five assists across the regular season and playoffs.

In 2023, the left-back came ninth in MLS's popular 22 under 22 list, ranking the league's biggest talents under the age of 22, and he also earned his first senior cap with the United States men's national team. Now, he looks set to enter the BlueCo orbit.

Wiley on his way to France

According to L'Equipe and since confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Strasbourg are confident of snapping up the 19-year-old after 'making good progress' in talks with the player and Atlanta in recent days.

The Alsatians have been keeping an eye on the left-back for some as this is a position of need. Strasbourg already tried to sign the USMNT starlet in the winter and are now finally closing in on securing his signature.

Wiley is still under contract with Atlanta until 2025, so a transfer fee will be necessary to prise him away. It is not yet clear how much they will need to pay. Wiley currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €3.3 million.

Intriguingly, there still appears to be some confusion as to which BlueCo-owned club will actually sign Wiley. One thing is clear, the American is set to arrive in Europe as a potential long-term option for Chelsea.

Unlike L'Equipe and Romano, The Athletic reports that it will actually be the Blues who will take Wiley under contract, with the report not even mentioning Strasbourg. Chelsea are known to be in the market for a left-back.

It will be intriguing to see how exactly this deal will be structured and where Wiley will end up, but it seems highly unlikely that he will be playing his football at Stamford Bridge next season.