According to a report by the Daily Telegraph, Josh Acheampong is the subject of interest from Crystal Palace. The Eagles are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a versatile defender in the summer transfer window. So, the 19-year-old Chelsea wonderkid has emerged as a target for the South London club.
The Eagles have already made their move to sign Acheampong, approaching Chelsea to discuss a possible season-long loan move. However, the Englishman recently insisted that he was focused on Chelsea and just wanted to “show what I can do”.
Josh Acheampong is the latest highly-rated wonderkid to rise in prominence at Chelsea. The Blues continue to produce world-class prospects, and the London native has made his mark in his short stint with the first-team squad thus far. The 19-year-old has enjoyed his breakthrough in the senior setup in the 2024/25 season, and he recently made his FIFA Club World Cup bow.
The English youth international has turned out 14 times thus far for Chelsea, amassing nearly 1,000 minutes of game time. Meanwhile, Acheampong’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Recent reports have linked the teenage sensation with Premier League clubs, with Crystal Palace among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
Crystal Palace’s interest in Josh Acheampong makes sense. The Eagles are scouring the market for a versatile defender who can play as a centre-back and a right-back. Joel Ward’s departure has created a void in the right-back unit. In addition, Crystal Palace did not replace Trevoh Chalobah when he returned to Chelsea earlier this year.
Recent reports have linked Crystal Palace with several right-backs, including Davide Calabria. However, Acheampong is a viable target for the South London club, as he can seamlessly slot into the back three. With Crystal Palace sharing a healthy working relationship with Chelsea after engaging in several deals in the last few years, a deal for the Englishman may be on the cards.
The Eagles have already submitted an enquiry for a season-long loan move. However, it is unclear if Chelsea will sanction the youngster’s departure, with the 19-year-old English youth international recently reaffirming his commitment to the West London club.
