Josh Acheampong, the promising young right-back, has reportedly been sidelined by Chelsea until he signs a new contract, according to The Athletic. The 18-year-old is highly regarded by the club, having made a brief first-team appearance under manager Enzo Maresca, where he played 27 minutes in a Carabao Cup match against Barrow.
Despite his contract running until 2026, discussions are ongoing regarding his long-term future at Chelsea, but no agreements have been reached. As a result, Acheampong has seen limited action lately, even with the U21 squad.
Acheampong made his Premier League debut last season in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge and was part of Chelsea's pre-season tour in America. However, with top-quality players like Reece James and Malo Gusto ahead of him in the right-back position, securing regular minutes in the first team poses a significant challenge.
Chelsea's management appears to be taking a firm stance on contract negotiations, evident in their approach with other academy stars like Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount. This situation has understandably led to speculation about Acheampong's future, with reports suggesting he is attracting interest from clubs abroad, including a surprising link to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
As the teenager navigates this uncertain period, he has expressed readiness for any first-team opportunities that may arise. However, with his current status, fans are left hoping that this situation does not lead to a surprise exit, as Chelsea looks to secure the future of another talented academy product.
Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly considering a move away from the club in January, as reported by Calciomercato. The 23-year-old, who joined Old Trafford in July for a fee of £36.5 million from Bologna, is said to be keen on returning to Italy.
While AC Milan no longer has interest in acquiring the Netherlands international, Juventus is among the clubs that could pursue Zirkzee. He fits the profile of the type of forward the Turin club is looking for, which could open the door for a potential transfer.
According to the Italian outlet, a loan move could materialize in January. However, it remains uncertain whether Manchester United would agree to let Zirkzee depart without securing a replacement first. His current record of one goal in 11 matches across all competitions this season has marked a challenging start to his time in England.
Zirkzee's recent struggles have also seen him lose his spot in manager Erik ten Hag's starting XI to Rasmus Højlund, who notably scored the winning goal in Saturday's 2-1 comeback victory over Brentford. As the January transfer window approaches, Zirkzee's situation at United will be closely watched, particularly given his desire to find regular playing time and potentially return to the Serie A.
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