Chelsea reportedly reach an agreement in principle to sign USA international Caleb Wiley from MLS franchise Atalanta United.
Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Atlanta United left-back Caleb Wiley.
The club’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have made a concerted effort to sign up-and-coming talents this summer.
They have already signed midfielder Omari Kellyman and forward Marc Guiu from Aston Villa and Barcelona respectively.
Chelsea have also completed a deal for Palmeiras youngster Estevao Willian to join in 2025, while they are also keen to recruit 19-year-old Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino.
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Chelsea agree Wiley transfer
According to The Athletic, the Blues are now on the verge of adding Atlanta’s Wiley to their array of top prospects at Stamford Bridge.
The report claims that Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle to sign the USA international for around £8.5m.
Wiley is expected to sign a long-term contract until June 2031, before being loaned out to Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg for the 2024-25 season.
The negotiations over the transfer were aided by a strong relationship between the Premier League club and Wiley’s current employers.
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Who is Atlanta’s 19-year-old defender?
Wiley joined Atalanta’s academy at the age of 11, before working his way through the ranks to feature for Atalanta’s reserve team and then the senior side.
The teenager has been a regular fixture for the Five Stripes this season, having started all 21 of his MLS appearances.
In total, the full-back has featured in 84 competitive matches for Atalanta, chipping in with six goals and seven assists.
As a result of his performances for the MLS franchise, Wiley has been rewarded with two caps for the USA senior side as well as being named in the Under-23 squad for the upcoming Olympics in France.
Wiley will focus on representing his country at this month’s Olympic games, before he turns his attention to a loan stint with Strasbourg, where he will be managed by former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.