Chelsea now set to sign Crystal Palace wonderkid compared to Jack Grealish after hijacking Bayern Munich deal
Chelsea are always on the lookout for precocious talent under Todd Boehly.
Millions of pounds have been spent to acquire the best of the next generation since the American purchased Chelsea in May 2022, including the likes of Estevao Willian, Kendry Paez, Mike Penders, Geovany Quenda and others.
Now, Chelsea are set to welcome another wonderkid to Stamford Bridge in Jesse Derry.
Chelsea beat Bayern Munich to Jesse Derry
The Chelsea Spot – an insider previously quoted by the likes of Fabrizio Romano – now believe Chelsea have won the race to sign the Crystal Palace prodigy.
Derry has been refusing to sign a professional contract at Selhurst Park as he weighs up his options, and a move across London to Chelsea – who also want Xavi Simons – is now close to completion.
The Chelsea Spot believe the England U19 international was all set to join Bayern Munich amid interest from other clubs in the UEFA Champions League, but the Blues have hijacked that agreement.
Derry – who has drawn comparisons to Jack Grealish due to his hairstyle, low socks and impressive dribbling skills – boasts an impressive record of 19 goals in 23 games in the U18 Premier League, also providing four assists.
Therefore, Chelsea – who made a late move for Bryan Mbeumo – look set to get their hands on a top talent.
Crystal Palace will be compensated
While Crystal Palace will be devastated to lose the talented 18-year-old, the south Londoners will at least receive some financial compensation for developing the teenager.
The fee for Derry – who The Athletic believe is concerned about a lack of pathway into the senior team at Crystal Palace – is currently yet to be determined, and could go to a tribunal if Chelsea fail to satisfy the Eagles with their opening offer.
However, The Athletic say a ‘significant’ compensation fee is set to come the way of Crystal Palace.
Fulham memorably received £4.3m from Liverpool after the Reds pinched Harvey Elliott from Craven Cottage when he was just 16 – so the sum could be worth millions to Crystal Palace.
TBR Football understand Chelsea now want Xavi Simons of RB Leipzig – so their next signing may actually come from outside of England.
However, the west Londoners are still looking close to home when it comes to recruitment, and actually made a bold move for Bryan Mbeumo before his switch to Manchester United was confirmed.
