Josh Acheampong has caught the attention of several top clubs, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund, who are also considering moves for the talented youngster.
Chelsea, however, are unwilling to part ways with Acheampong. Last month, reports emerged that the club had informed him he would not feature in the first team or development squad unless he agrees to a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Fresh updates suggest that Chelsea have made some “tentative progress” in contract talks, with the club making a strong push to keep the English defender in west London.
Despite this, Bayern Munich remain a strong contender, showing significant interest and reportedly promising Acheampong immediate first-team action to lure him to Germany.
Acheampong has been part of Chelsea’s academy since the age of eight and signed his first professional contract in January, which is set to expire in 2026. However, Chelsea are eager to secure an extension amid concerns that by next summer, his contract will have less than a year remaining.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is a big admirer of Acheampong and, in comments last month, urged the club to resolve the situation quickly.
‘To be honest, I feel a bit of shame for Josh,’ Maresca said. ‘I had a chat with him, personally, about his situation and the chat we had was a very good chat, a positive chat but since that moment I haven’t spoken to him.
‘As I said, it’s a shame. I think Josh potentially can become a top player. He is still 18, so still very young, so many things can change for him, but he can potentially be very important thing for Chelsea.
‘It’s so important for the club that our intention is not to lose him. The first thing we need to do is to find a solution for his future.
‘The most important thing at this stage is to get minutes, enjoy and to play football.
‘For him, I don’t know the people who are trying to solve the problem, if they are helping him or not. I really like Josh and I would really like to have him here with us but it is not possible [at the moment].’
