Chelsea will face Brazilian outfit Palmeiras in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday morning.
Enzo Maresca’s side have been inconsistent at the tournament so far, beating LAFC and ES Tunis but falling to defeat against Flamengo in the group stages.
In the last 16, the Blues were taken to extra-time by Portuguese side Benfica but ultimately ran out 4-1 winners in North Carolina.
The West London side are now among the favourites to win the competition with Manchester City and Inter Milan – who were both on Chelsea’s side of the draw – having been knocked out at the last 16 stage.
Off the pitch the Blues have already been busy this summer, adding Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr to Maresca’s squad.
It appears, however, they one player could soon depart Stamford Bridge.
According to CaughtOffside, defender Aaron Anselmino is set to depart Chelsea on loan this summer.
Anselmino has only played once for Chelsea (Photo: Craig Mercer/Alamy)
The report claims that the London side are contemplating sending the Argentine on loan to Strasbourg – who are under the same ownership group as the Blues – however the player is attracting interest from elsewhere.
German side Borussia Dortmund, French giants Marseille and Spanish outfit Real Betis are all credited with an interest in the 20-year-old.
Chelsea signed Anselmino from Argentinian side Boca Juniors in the summer of 2024 but immediately sent the central defender back on loan to his former side.
He returned to London in January but only made his debut for Chelsea as a late substitute during their win over Benfica on Saturday.
The report suggests that the Blues are planning on sending the defender out on loan for the entirety of the upcoming season in an effort to help his development by benefitting from regular playing time.