Enzo Maresca boosted by huge Josh Acheampong transfer update after Chelsea contract talks

Chelsea have held positive talks with Josh Acheampong over signing a new contract with the club, sources have told football.london.

The 18-year-old defender was told by the Blues last month that he would not represent any of the club's teams while talks were happening over a new contract. However, things are certainly moving in the right direction on that front.

Acheampong's current contract at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in June 2026 and there have been several Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on his situation, football.london understands. While positive talks have been held recently, it is understood that an agreement is not imminent and there is an acceptance that these negotiations can be lengthy.

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Chelsea rate Acheampong very highly and want him to commit his future to the club for the long-term. On Friday evening, Acheampong was included in the match day squad for Chelsea's Development team's win over Derby County - that was the first time the teenager has been involved for the club on a competitive level since the end of September.

Earlier in the week, Acheampong trained with the first-team at Cobham ahead of Chelsea's UEFA Conference League trip to FC Heidenheim. Acheampong, though, did not travel to Germany with the rest of the squad, while his academy teammates Tyrique George, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Shim Mheuka and Kiano Dyer did make the trip.

Prior to this whole contract saga, Acheampong had made quite the start to the season. He was taken on the club's pre-season tour to the United States alongside fellow teenager George. After making his senior debut for the Blues towards the end of the 2023/24 season against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, Acheampong made his second first-team appearance against Barrow in a comfortable Carabao Cup victory in September.

"My season has started off on a huge high," Acheampong told the club's media team recently. "Going away for pre-season with the men's team, being involved in the Barrow fixture and putting in some solid performances with the Under-21s side.

"Overall, I would say I've started well and already gained some extremely valuable experience. Being at Chelsea since Under-8s, I feel really connected to the club, as anyone would.

"To say that I've worked my way up the age groups, I've loved every experience I've had here and to see that I've continued to grow and progress is a bonus. I plan to keep working hard to develop even further."