Chelsea turn down several offers for player Xabi Alonso calls ‘untouchable,’ even with Arsenal interested
Chelsea has reportedly said no to offers from some of the biggest clubs, like Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Manchester City, for a player Xabi Alonso calls ‘untouchable.’ It looks like it will be a lively summer at Stamford Bridge as the club gets ready for a fresh start with Alonso in charge.
Before signing up as Chelsea’s new manager, Alonso wanted to make sure the club supported his plans for transfers and his control as a coach, according to ESPN. Part of that plan is to keep hold of Josh Acheampong, a defender who grew up in Chelsea’s academy.
The 20-year-old has played 30 games this season and caught the eye of many teams. Over the last six months, Chelsea has turned down several offers to buy him. Liverpool and Manchester City are interested, and TeamTALK says Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Juventus want him too.
But Chelsea has refused all these bids. They believe Acheampong is a key player for the future, especially now that Alonso is here. The BBC also reports that Arsenal, Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace are keeping an eye on him.
Acheampong joined Chelsea when he was under 8 years old and signed a new five-year contract in 2024. It’s not clear if he wants to leave or stay, though.
Last year, after Acheampong helped Chelsea beat Legia Warsaw 3-0, former manager Enzo Maresca said he was a big fan of the young player. He praised Acheampong for being able to play different positions well and said, “I’m in love with him.” Maresca believes Acheampong could be a top player for both Chelsea and football in general.