Chelsea will not entertain bids to part ways with 19-year-old English youth international Josh Acheampong in the summer transfer window amid his Manchester City links.

According to an update by French journalist Sebastien Vidal, Josh Acheampong is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Citizens are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a versatile right-back in the summer transfer window. So, the 19-year-old Chelsea wonderkid has emerged as a target for them.

However, the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup winners have “shut the door” on Manchester City, as Enzo Maresca views the Englishman as a “key option” after Levi Colwill suffered a long-term knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for most of the 2025/26 season.

Josh Acheampong and his career so far

Josh Acheampong is the latest highly-rated wonderkid to emerge from the fabled academy at Chelsea. The Blues have a factory of world-class prodigies, and the London native has been impressive in his limited outings for the West London club. The 19-year-old enjoyed his breakthrough in the senior setup in the 2024/25 season, making his mark with his ability to play across the backline.

The English youth international has turned out 14 times thus far for Chelsea, amassing nearly 1,000 minutes of game time. Meanwhile, Acheampong’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Recent reports have linked the teenage sensation with Premier League outfits, with Manchester City among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.

Move across the Premier League on the cards?

Manchester City’s interest in Josh Acheampong is understandable. The Citizens are scouring the market for a versatile right-back amid uncertainties surrounding Rico Lewis’s long-term future. The young full-back has recently emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest, with Matheus Nunes the only other right-back in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

So, Acheampong has emerged as a viable target for Manchester City, and he is an appealing option, as Pep Guardiola appreciates versatility in footballers. However, a summer move for the 19-year-old Englishman will not see the light of day, with Chelsea ruling out the youngster’s departure.

While Manchester City wanted to sign Acheampong, the English youth international will not move to the Etihad, as Enzo Maresca views the young defender as a “key option” after Levi Colwill suffered a long-term knee injury that has rendered him unavailable for most of the 2025/26 season.