Chelsea are close to finalising a deal for 16-year-old LA Galaxy midfielder Vicente Garcia.
Sources briefed on discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said a deal was in place for Garcia to join Chelsea when he turns 18 in the summer of 2028, with the fee expected to be worth in the region of $3million (£2.25m) plus add-ons.
Chelsea’s move for Garcia comes after The Athletic reported in July that the Premier League club had agreed a deal to buy U.S. youth international Benji Flowers, 15, from FC Dallas when he turns 18. Dallas will receive an initial fee of around $3m, while performance-based add-ons could take the deal to around $10m.
Garcia signed his first professional contract with the Galaxy as a homegrown player in January 2025. Aged 14 years and 198 days, he became the fifth youngest player in MLS history to sign a professional deal. The midfielder will officially join the Galaxy on an MLS contract at the start of 2027.
At the beginning of August, Garcia was called up to the Galaxy first-team squad for an MLS fixture for the first time, and he was an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw with FC Dallas.
He has represented the United States and Mexico up to under-15 level, and was selected for a U.S. Under-17 camp in June.
Garcia has featured 16 times for Ventura County FC, the Galaxy’s MLS Next Pro affiliate (reserve) team, this season, providing three goals and four assists.
The global under-21 market is one Chelsea have been particularly active in in recent seasons. The club agreed to sign 15-year-old Ecuadorian attacker Kendry Paez in the summer of 2023 on a pre-arranged deal to join when he turned 18. U.S. defender Caleb Wiley and international team-mate Gaga Slonina have also moved to the west London club in recent seasons.



