Brentford closing in on signing of Chelsea target Antonio Nusa
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are set to miss out on the signing of Antonio Nusa, who has reached an agreement to join Brentford for £25 million. Chelsea were close to signing the Norwegian last summer, but the youngster decided to remain at Club Brugge.
According to Fabrizio Romano, (h/t Metro), the Bees agreed to spend €30 million (£25.6 million) on the 18-year-old, who is now likely to join Brentford next summer as the winger will head back to Brugge on loan.
The 18-year-old has been tipped to become one of the most talented players after making his breakthrough with the first team. When Nusa decided to reject Chelsea, it was related to game-time, and the decision paid off as the forward appeared in 28 league matches last season, registering four goals and three assists.
But the Blues remained interested, and Arsenal also joined the race and thought they may be able to entice the forward to North London with the help of Martin Odegaard. Spurs unexpectedly emerged successful in the contest, having progressed with negotiations with Brugge over his signing.
Missing out on his signing isn’t any setback because we don’t need to sign every young player, and if we are to look at Nusa’s decision, it was sensible because had he joined us next season, it would have been challenging for him to play regularly at just 18 in the Premier League.
He is undoubtedly gifted, but he requires maturity, is undeveloped, and would have been exposed to the competitive nature of the game. Nusa made the proper choice since young players are more likely to stay in less prominent leagues where they are meticulously shaped into elite players.
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But, since the Bees are currently 14th in the league and the possibility of relegation if they don’t improve, it might be complicated if he plays in the Premier League the following season.