Chelsea starlet Tino Anjorin is closing in on a loan switch to Lokomotiv Moscow who can make the deal permanent for £17 million next year
According to Goal, Chelsea starlet Tino Anjorin is close to completing a loan switch to Russian giants Lokomotiv Moscow as the summer transfer window draws to a close.
The 19-year-old will get the opportunity to work with German footballing genius Ralf Rangnick, who recently took over as the club’s football director. Rangnick has inspired a number of German coaches, including Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who he mentored early on in his career.
As per the terms of the agreement, Moscow will have the opportunity to make the permanent next year for £17 million. Rangnick intends to do just that should Anjorin impress this season.
Anjorin came through the youth system at Chelsea, making his first-team bow for the club in their 7-1 Carabao Cup victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019. He has since made four more appearances for the Blues.
A strong, powerful attacking box-to-box midfielder, Anjorin has excellent potential that could be moulded in the right hands. Given the riches at Tuchel’s disposal, the chances of him playing regularly for the Chelsea senior side appears fanciful at this moment in time.
The impending move to Russia may not be the most glamourous but provides the youngster with an opportunity to showcase his abilities. More so Rangnick has a reputation for developing talented players and could prove to be the right man to make Anjorin bloom.
Despite his talent and Tuchel’s appraisal of his abilities, Anjorin is nowhere close to being a regular for Chelsea. That said, it makes sense for the Blues to cash in now and reinvest that money in the squad. With Jules Kounde and Saul Niguez still on the club’s radar, Anjorin’s exit could see Chelsea make a late punt for the La Liga pair’s signatures.
Chelsea also have the option of buying the player back for £34 million. At the very least, they will have an opportunity to rectify their mistake should it prove to be the case. The deal is a win-win for the west Londoners and Marina Granovskaia has once again worked her magic.
It is a testament to the talent present at Stamford Bridge today that promising youth like Anjorin are being forced to move elsewhere. Whether his journey at Chelsea is over or a reunion is pencilled in for the future remains to be seen.