Chelsea will beat Manchester City to the signature of 14-year-old English goalkeeping sensation Toby Bell on a free transfer.
According to a report by The Sun, Toby Bell will be the latest teenage sensation to bolster the Chelsea youth division. The Blues have beaten Manchester City to the signature of the 14-year-old goalkeeping sensation. He was a free agent after leaving Sunderland this year. But the Black Cats might be due a compensation fee for developing him during some of his formative years.
Toby Bell is one of the best young prospects in his homeland after going from strength to strength at Sunderland. The teenage sensation has been among the most elite prodigies in the Wearside club’s youth division. But he had become a free agent after leaving Sunderland this summer.
Ready to embark on a new adventure in his formative years, several young prospects tailed the 14-year-old goalkeeping sensation. But the race to secure Bell’s signature eventually whittled down to Chelsea and Manchester City, two clubs who boast impressive academies.
The Manchester City youth division has garnered the reputation of being an elite developmental unit. And they are often a dream destination for up-and-coming prospects in England. The Citizens also tend to poach prodigious youngsters away from fellow high-profile outfits, with Harrison Parker from Manchester United being the latest signing.
🚨 Exclusive@AlexGoldberg_ understands that 14 year old GK, formerly of Sunderland, Toby Bell, has chosen Chelsea. It was down to them & Manchester City, and the very highly rated English youngster has chosen Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/DME5mtM86O
— The Byline (@TheByline__) June 14, 2023
So it was hardly surprising that Manchester City wanted to secure Toby Bell’s services in the ongoing transfer window. But the Citizens are losing the race to sign the 14-year-old goalkeeping sensation. And his next destination will be Chelsea, who will complete a free transfer.
Like Manchester City, Chelsea’s reputation for signing the best young prospects has skyrocketed. The Blues have especially been active in the market since Todd Boehly and his consortium took over the club. And they have signed prodigies like Dujuan Richards, Kendry Paez, and Angelo Gabriel this summer. Toby Bell is now the latest whizkid to join the West London outfit.
Chelsea will not pay anything to Sunderland after securing Bell’s services. But the Black Cats will be due a compensation fee, which can reach seven figures if Bell makes his debut for England. And it will be interesting to see what the future has in store for the 14-year-old.
