Premier League Club Sets Sights on Chelsea Defender in Transfer Hunt
Chelsea's young defender Josh Acheampong has reportedly caught the attention of Premier League rivals Bournemouth, who are still looking to fill the void left by Dean Huijsen this summer.
Huijsen made his move to Real Madrid just before the recent FIFA Club World Cup when the Spanish powerhouse activated the promising center-back's £50 million ($67.2 million) buyout clause.
The Cherries are also facing potential interest from Paris Saint-Germain for Huijsen's former defensive partner Illia Zabarnyi, while left-back Milos Kerkez has already departed for Liverpool. Though Kerkez's replacement has been secured in Adrien Truffert from Rennes, Bournemouth could begin the upcoming Premier League season missing three-fourths of their previous campaign's first-choice defense.
This makes new signings absolutely crucial. BBC Sport indicates that following a turned-down £26 million ($34.9 million) bid for Lille's Bafodé Diakité—who carries a £35 million ($47 million) price tag—Acheampong has emerged as one of the options to strengthen Bournemouth's defensive ranks.
The 19-year-old is reportedly looking for guarantees regarding his playing opportunities at Chelsea, though the Blues aren't prepared to permanently part ways and would only entertain a temporary loan arrangement currently.
Acheampong earned his Chelsea first-team bow in May 2024 but subsequently found himself frozen out due to contract negotiation difficulties. He was brought back into the fold in December, quickly followed by signing a new long-term deal through 2029 that same month.
The promising defender earned his first Premier League start in a 1–1 stalemate with Crystal Palace in January, forming a center-back partnership with Levi Colwill, and retained his spot for the following league match against Bournemouth. While his Premier League appearances remained sparse afterward, Acheampong became a consistent presence in Chelsea's UEFA Conference League campaign, featuring in both right-back and left-back roles.