are set to poach one of ’s most highly-rated young players and complete the signing of Omari Hutchinson.
The 18-year-old winger regularly featured as a member of the first team squad last season and was an unused substitute several occasions during the run-in as Mikel Arteta’s squad was stretched to the limit by injuries and suspensions.
Arsenal have promoted a number of Hale End graduates into the first team over the course of Arteta’s reign, and Hutchinson was expected to follow the path trodden by the likes of Bukayo Saka and .
Hutchinson featured in the behind closed doors friendly against Ipswich earlier this month but didn’t travel with squad which flew to Germany last week for the 5-3 win over Nurnberg.
The skillful winger was also left out of the squad which flew to America earlier this week and, according to , is now set to join Chelsea on a long-term contract.
Chelsea have so far focused their efforts on strengthening a first team squad that has lost defensive stalwarts Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen already during the close season.
The Blues are expected to complete the signing of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly imminently, but a deal for Nathan Ake has collapsed with Chelsea unwilling to meet Manchester City’s asking price.
Following that setback, Chelsea are expected to go back in for Jules Kounde who came close to moving to Stamford Bridge from Sevilla last summer.
Chelsea strengthened their forward line earlier this week by completing the signing of Raheem Sterling from City but are unlikely to make further additions to their attack.
Talks between owner Thomas Tuchel and Todd Boehly took place earlier this week, but the pair came to the conclusion that they would resist the temptation of making an attempt to sign wantaway Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chelsea do, however, intend to bolster their squad with a number of talented youngsters but Tuchel is adamant further senior recruits are required if his team is to compete with City and Liverpool next season.
‘The stakes are high and we’re competing not only against the best teams who have ever played in the Premier League but also the best coaches,’ said Tuchel.
‘We come from sanctions, we come from losing top-quality players, key players, we are a club in transition, in transition of ownership.
‘We were behind in the transfer race and we were behind in the table. So we have things to improve.
‘The signing of Raheem shows what we’re capable of doing, it shows the ambition of the club and the ownership and it’s good because we’re all here to win and compete.
‘We love to compete and we love the challenge at the very top. For that we need signings of new quality players or otherwise there’s no chance.’
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