€22m Chelsea signing approved by Lionel Messi

15 Oct 2026 18:02 BST 2 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

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Chelsea are among the clubs interested in Boca Juniors sensation Tomas Aranda.

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Although currently injured, the 19-year-old has enjoyed a breakout 2026. Aranda made his senior debut for Boca in January and quickly became a regular fixture in the team, first as a substitute and later as a starter.

A hugely versatile player, Aranda has featured primarily as a left wing-back or winger, but he can also play as a central playmaker and out on the right. He made 32 appearances prior to suffering a fibula fracture in August.

In the build-up to the World Cup, the teenager was rewarded with his senior Argentina debut, but he did not make the squad for the finals in North America. Nevertheless, he is considered a huge talent.

None other than Lionel Messi confirmed as much earlier this week when he named Aranda as one of the top 10 young prospects currently in world football as part of an Adidas campaign.

Chelsea interested in Aranda

For several weeks, Aranda has been associated with a possible transfer to Chelsea. The West London giants have been paying particular attention to the South American market since the Clearlake Capital takeover in 2022 and are well aware of the 19-year-old's potential.

El Intransigente reports that the Blues are still keeping tabs on the Argentine despite his injury. Arsenal and Napoli are also credited with an interest in Aranda.

Chelsea, it is claimed, are considering signing Aranda with a view to initially parking him at sister club Strasbourg, similar to how they proceeded with Ecuadorian wonderkid Kendry Paez after his move to Europe.

Enquiries have been made for the youngster, but Chelsea have yet to formalise their interest. This is perhaps understandable given Boca's stance: they don't want to lose Aranda and are asking for his release clause to be triggered.

It currently stands at a sizeable $20 million (€18m) and is set to increase to $25m (€22m) ahead of the new Argentine season in early 2027. Given his injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined until December, it seems doubtful that any club would be willing to sign him in January.

A move later in the year is perhaps more likely, although a lot will depend on how he recovers. If he gets back to his best in early 2027, Aranda will be one of the protagonists of the summer transfer window.

€22m Chelsea signing approved by Lionel Messi

Chelsea interested in Aranda

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