Chelsea Close In on Abdul Rahman Baba Signing
By BBC Sport
Chelsea are on the verge of completing the signing of Ghanaian international Abdul Rahman Baba, with the Augsburg left-back reportedly undergoing a medical in London.
According to Sky Deutschland, as relayed by Sky Sports, the 21-year-old defender has taken a significant step toward joining the Premier League champions, with final negotiations progressing swiftly in recent hours. The deal is expected to be finalized imminently.
Baba, who impressed in the Bundesliga last season with his pace, stamina, and attacking contributions from the flanks, has been a long-term target for the Blues. His potential arrival is widely seen as a direct replacement for Brazilian full-back Filipe Luís, who returned to Atlético Madrid earlier in the summer.
The fee for the transfer is believed to be in the region of €25 million (£17.5 million), with personal terms already agreed upon. The Ghanaian is expected to sign a five-year contract, securing his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been monitoring Baba for several weeks, and manager José Mourinho is said to view the young left-back as a valuable addition to strengthen the defensive unit ahead of a busy domestic and European campaign.
Rahman Baba made 31 appearances for Augsburg last season and has earned praise for his performances at both club and international level. He represented Ghana at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, playing a key role in helping the Black Stars reach the final.
Should the deal be completed as expected, Baba would become the latest in a string of summer acquisitions for Chelsea as they look to retain their Premier League crown and make a deeper impact in the Champions League.
