Chelsea have reached an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign 18-year-old winger Jesse Derry. The Premier League club moved swiftly to hijack a deal that was close to completion with a Bundesliga side. Sources close to soccerpicks understand Derry had already given the green light for a move to Germany before Chelsea stepped in with a firm proposal.
The teenager is expected to undergo medical tests on Friday. Once completed, personal terms will be finalised, with the winger ready to join Chelsea’s development squad. The deal puts an end to interest from eight other European clubs, including teams from Spain, France, and Italy.
Derry has been on the radar of top scouts after his breakout performances at youth level. His pace, close control, and ability to cut inside have made him one of England’s most promising wingers. Crystal Palace were reluctant to let him go but accepted Chelsea’s offer due to the player’s desire for a fresh challenge.
Chelsea’s recruitment strategy continues to focus on securing young English talent with long-term potential. Derry fits that profile, joining a growing list of youth players signed under the club’s new structure. At 18, he has already featured in competitive fixtures for Palace’s U21 side and trained regularly with the senior squad.
This move shows Chelsea’s commitment to building depth across all age groups. Derry is expected to start with the U23 team, with a path planned toward future first-team inclusion. Club sources confirm that the decision to push for the winger came after internal reviews highlighted the need for more natural width in attacking areas.
Several Bundesliga sides were confident of closing the deal before Chelsea made late contact on Tuesday evening. Talks progressed quickly, with Crystal Palace receiving formal documents by Wednesday morning. Chelsea’s offer included performance-based add-ons and guarantees regarding development opportunities.
Derry’s medical will be conducted at Cobham, and he is likely to be unveiled once all formalities are concluded. The winger has already spoken to members of Chelsea’s coaching staff, who assured him of a clear development plan.
This is another signal of intent from Chelsea as they continue to invest in the future. With strong interest across Europe, this signing represents a timely victory for the club’s talent acquisition team. More updates will follow after the completion of Friday’s scheduled medical.
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