Augsburg star Abdul Rahman Baba was in London on Saturday to complete a move to Chelsea, according to German broadcaster DW Sport.
The Blues look set to sign the 21-year-old after making an offer that the Bundesliga side couldn’t refuse, according to general manager Stefan Reuter. This will be good news for Jose Mourinho, who has only been able to bring in Asmir Begovic and Radamel Falcao so far this summer.
Abdul Rahman Baba will not be involved today for Augsburg as he is in London completing his move to Chelsea. #FCABSC #dwbundesli
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) August 15, 2015
Stefan Reuter: “We didn’t want to sell Baba, but for the fee Chelsea have paid, we were in no position to reject the offer.” #dwbundesliga
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) August 15, 2015
It has been reported by the Daily Mail that the fee could be £21.7 million. The Blues will pay £14 million, with various bonuses potentially pushing it up to the larger figure. A five-year contract is also set to be signed by the youngster.
The Ghana international looks to be an ideal replacement for Filipe Luis, who has re-joined Atletico Madrid after a miserable year in London.
Baba is young enough to improve as Cesar Azpilicueta’s understudy, while also being good enough to challenge him for the left-back slot after making 31 appearances in the German top flight last season and helping Augsburg into the Europa League places.
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Chelsea may not be finished when it comes to improving their back line, with Everton ace John Stones also being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge [Daily Mail].
However, the London outfit are having more trouble signing the England international, having seen bids of £20 million and £26 million turned down, and manager Roberto Martinez insist that the player isn’t for sale [BBC].