Report: Chelsea Reach Agreement in Principle for Barcelona Starlet Ilaix Moriba

Originally posted on FanNation Absolute Chelsea
By Vayam Lahoti | Last updated 8/26/21

Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Ilaix Moriba ahead of a potential move from Barcelona, according to reports.

The 18-year-old, who made his La Liga debut in La Roja's 5-1 victory over Alaves in February, was recently spotted in London amid rumours linking him with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The young midfielder is widely rated as one of the brightest emerging prospects across Europe, with several top clubs keen to add the Guinea international to their ranks before the transfer window shuts on August 31.

According to Adrián Sánchez, Chelsea have to negotiate a fee with Barcelona to sign the La Masia graduate after agreeing personal terms with the midfielder, who is entering the final year of his contract at Barcelona.

Several elite sides are eager to sign the talented playmaker, who changed allegiances from Spain to Guinea a few months ago, before the end of the month.

Moriba, who idolises Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta, have often earned comparisons to Manchester United star Paul Pogba in the early stages of his career, and whichever club manages to secure his services by next week, will have acquired a future star.

What Thomas Tuchel said on his squad amid potential new additions:

"I am absolutely happy with our squad and the alternatives we have. It's not too big a squad, we were missing Christian Pulisic (against Arsenal) and that meant everybody else was in the squad.

"That means we maybe don't have the biggest squad but that we have a very competitive squad in all positions. This, on one hand, is necessary because we play a lot of competitions and we play the World Club Cup in December. We also played very long last season and there was the Euros and Copa America."

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This article first appeared on FanNation Absolute Chelsea and was syndicated with permission.

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