Chelsea close on signing Sheffield Wednesday’s Yisa Alao, Manchester United remain in talks – The Athletic

Chelsea are close to finalising a deal to sign Sheffield Wednesday’s 17-year-old left-back Yisa Alao.

Manchester United, however, are also in talks over the talented prospect, with further negotiations ahead.

The final figure, including major add-ons, could significantly surpass £1million, but the initial fee is a six-figure sum.

Alao has made five appearances for Wednesday’s first-team this season, playing a total of 186 minutes in the Championship, FA Cup and EFL Cup, and is anticipated to leave in this transfer window.

United had a bid in the region of £450,000 rejected by Wednesday before Christmas, but are still trying to recruit the player.

Chelsea are making a strong play, however, and have tabled their own considerable offer, worth in the high six-figures.

Liverpool had also been monitoring a move for Alao.

Wednesday’s administrators are handling the club’s finances and want to get the best possible price for Alao, who is seen as an athletic, quick player who can get up and down the pitch.

Other Premier League clubs have been monitoring Alao’s progress at Wednesday, including Liverpool. The teenager played 63 minutes in the Championship match at Portsmouth on January 17 but was left out of the squad that fell to defeat at Birmingham City on Tuesday.

Alao is a product of the Wednesday academy and made his senior debut against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup in August, aged 16.

He has made five appearances for Wednesday’s first-team this season, playing a total of 186 minutes in the Championship, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He made his first senior start against Brentford in the FA Cup in January and followed this with a start against Portsmouth in the league seven days later.

Additional reporting from Philip Buckingham and James Pearce.