Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Sporting CP sensation Dario Essugo, it has been claimed. The 19-year-old has been a standout performer on loan at Las Palmas this season.

Essugo came through the ranks at Sporting and became the club's youngest-ever player when he was introduced as a second-half substitute against Vitoria de Guimaraes in March 2021, aged 16 years and 16 days.

The midfielder continued to shatter records, becoming Portugal's youngest player to debut in the Champions League against Ajax in December 2021. He broke another club record later that season when he surpassed Luis Figo as their youngest starter against Arouca at 16 years, 11 months and 17 days.

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Despite this, Essugo failed to cement a regular place in the Sporting side, and after spending the second half of last season at Chaves, before he moved to Las Palmas on loan in August. Having started off in the reserves, Essugo has since broken into the first-team and started 14 La Liga fixtures this campaign.

His reputation has grown during his stint at Las Palmas and Chelsea want to capture his services. According to The Sun, the Blues are on the verge of agreeing a deal to sign the midfielder from Sporting.

However, Chelsea do have an issue. Essugo is believed to only be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge if he is part of the senior squad - a growing problem with young stars chased by the London club.

18-year-old striker Eli Junior Kroupi chose Bournemouth instead of Chelsea last week when he left French side Lorient. Aaron Anselmino, 19, refused a loan to Strasbourg because he doesn't want to move around.

Chelsea signed one player during the January transfer window. Mathis Amougou arrived from Saint-Etienne on an eight-year contract. The 19-year-old moved to the Blues after catching the eye in his 18 appearances in all competitions for the French club this season.

The west Londoners paid Saint-Etienne around £12million for the services of Amougou, whose contract at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard was due to expire in around 18 months' time. "I'm very happy," the Frenchman said in his first interview as a Chelsea player.

"It's an honour for me to sign for such a big club like Chelsea. They believe in young players and the process they have in place to develop us is fantastic."