Blues close in on exciting young winger.
Chelsea are close to completing a deal to sign PSV wonderkid Zakaria Bakkali ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, according to reports.
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The Blues have been one of many clubs linked with the highly-rated Belgian winger, and it now appears that they have won the race for his signature after agreeing in principle for the player to move to Stamford Bridge in January.
The immensely gifted 18-year-old rose to prominence last season when he became the youngest ever player to score a hat-trick in the Eredivisie, and his skillful style of play has seen him compared with current Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
It is expected that Bakkali will be loaned back to PSV for the second half of this season, and given Chelsea’s recent record with signing youngsters and loaning them out, it may yet be some time before the wide-man becomes part of the first-team setup at the club.
Jose Mourinho has plenty of attacking midfield options available to him at the moment, but will see Bakkali as a superb long-term signing for his side, and will be delighted to have beaten a number of other top clubs to his signature.
The deal will be formally completed when the transfer window re-opens, but it is understood that an agreement is in place and that an announcement will be made closer to the time.