Chelsea agree £18.5m deal for midfielder Essugo

Chelsea have agreed an £18.5m fee to sign Sporting midfielder Dario Essugo, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas.

The 20-year-old has been offered a seven-year contract with an option for an extra year, with the move subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms.

The deal would mean the Portugal Under-21s international joining in June to act as a deputy ball-winning defensive midfield option to Moises Caicedo.

Senior sources at Stamford Bridge say he impressed scouts with his rapid development over the course of the season.

They hope to have Essugo in the squad for June's newly expanded Club World Cup tournament in the United States.

Essugo has made 25 appearances for his parent club Sporting, and played 17 games on loan at Spanish top-flight club Las Palmas this season.

Chelsea also signed 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting for £40m this week.