Chelsea have reportedly made the breakthrough in negotiations over a new long-term contract with Levi Colwill.
Since the end of last season, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have been focused on ensuring that the Premier League club stay on the right side of FFP at a time when they do not have European football on their calendar.
That has generally meant that players who have two years or less on their contracts are available for the right price, as was the case with Conor Gallagher as recently as last week.
However, from the moment that Mauricio Pochettino arrived through the door at Stamford Bridge, the Argentine is said to have made clear that he views Colwill as an integral part of his plans.
Although the 20-year-old is seen as one of the top academy graduates of the past decade, he is yet to make a single competitive minute for Chelsea, instead going out on loan to Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.
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Colwill's stint at the American Express Community Stadium was a resounding success, but it only complicated matters with regards to a renewal courtesy of the Seagulls wanting a permanent deal and further interest emerging from elsewhere.
Nevertheless, according to The Athletic, Chelsea have convinced Colwill that his future is at Stamford Bridge.
The England Undr-21 star is said to have verbally agreed to sign a six-year contract with the West Londoners with an announcement expected to follow in due course if the player signs on the dotted line.
Should the deal be finalised, it will represent a major coup for Chelsea and Pochettino who are effectively at the start of another new era as they bid to reclaim a spot in the top six of the Premier League table as a bare minimum.
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While Colwill has only played in two of Chelsea's four pre-season friendlies thus far, that is partly due to his efforts at the Under-21 European Championship which only concluded on July 8.
With Wesley Fofana sidelined for months due to a knee injury and Benoit Badiashile yet to feature for the senior side in pre-season, it is increasingly likely that Colwill could start alongside Thiago Silva against Liverpool on the opening weekend of the season.
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Monaco's Axel Disasi, although the France international is unlikely to be thrown into the team versus the Merseyside giants with no game time under Pochettino.
Trevoh Chalobah may now depart Chelsea if they receive a suitable offer, despite the versatile Englishman being one of the most-used players during the club's tour of the United States.
Darren Plant
