Chelsea are keeping tabs on Thomas Aranda, the talented attacking midfielder from Boca Juniors, and may attempt to bring the young Argentine to Stamford Bridge in early 2027, as reported by sources in Argentina.
Despite the player's significant injury, the London club remains undeterred. It’s understood that Chelsea are considering a bid of up to €12.8 million.
As of now, no formal offer has been made by the English side. This is purely a potential transfer that could gain momentum with the opening of the winter transfer window.
Injury hasn’t altered Chelsea's plans
The 19-year-old Aranda suffered a serious injury at the end of August, fracturing his fibula during training, which required surgery.
He is unlikely to play again in 2026 and will spend the coming months in recovery. Nevertheless, Chelsea continue to see him as a promising talent for the future.
Aranda has already established himself in Boca Juniors' first team, having played 20 matches in 2026, scoring one goal and providing three assists according to Opta.
The attention towards the young Argentine is largely due to his technical abilities. He wears the famous number ten shirt at Boca Juniors and is seen as one of the club’s most exciting young prospects. CONMEBOL has previously acknowledged his progress and impact on the team's play.
Boca reluctant to part with Aranda
However, Boca Juniors are not keen on letting go of the midfielder.
Aranda's contract runs until December 2029, and his buyout clause is reportedly around €17 million.
This means Chelsea’s potential offer of €12.8 million falls short of the release fee. The London club would need to negotiate a reduced fee with Boca Juniors or explore alternative deal structures.
At this point, there are no indications that talks between the clubs have reached an official stage.
