Chelsea are close to completing a deal for Mateo del Blanco, a 22-year-old Argentinian Union Santa Fe left-back who has also been used on the wing. It is understood that Chelsea are nearing his arrival, though he is not expected to play for the club immediately after joining this summer. Instead, the plan is to loan him to BlueCo sister club Strasbourg. Boca Juniors and River Plate had also shown interest in Del Blanco, but neither signed him during the winter. The defender, whose contract runs until December 2028, has a current Transfermarkt market value of €4.50m. In the 2025/2026 Torneo Apertura season, he has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in 10 appearances.