Caleb Wiley set to arrive from Atlanta United – Have Chelsea secured the next Alphonso Davies?

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Deal imminent 

A remarkable transfer summer continues for Atlanta United. After selling Georgios Giakoumakis for €9.3 million to Cruz Azul and Thiago Almada in a deal worth up an initial €19.5m and up to €27.6m to the Eagle Group, left-back Caleb Wiley could be next. Initially reported by The New York Times, Transfermarkt can confirm that the 19-year-old is set to complete a €10m move to Chelsea. But rather than joining Chelsea, Wiley will be immediately loaned out to Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg Alsace for playing time. 

This latest deal will increase Atlanta United’s transfer income to €38.8m without Almada’s bonuses. Those funds will go a long way toward a significant rebuild for Atlanta mid-season. Already, the club has been linked with a move for Russian forward Aleksey Miranchuk, with Italian media reporting a potential €11m transfer fee. But that is the future. For now, Wiley becomes the latest major outgoing transfer for the Five Stripes. 

Once completed, Wiley will become the fifth most expensive outgoing U20 transfer in MLS history (overview). Wiley will also become the third most expensive American-born player to be developed and sold by MLS (overview). But that isn’t all. Among all players sold by Atlanta United, Wiley ranks third behind Miguel Almirón (to Newcastle United), Thiago Almada (Botafogo), and Pity Martínez (Al-Nassr). Finally, the transfer fee will also make him one of the ten most expensive outgoing transfers in MLS history.   

What can Chelsea fans expect from Caleb Wiley? Wiley might be the most talented wing-back to emerge from MLS since Alphonso Davies. A quick and agile left-back, Wiley scored an impressive three goals and two assists in his first four games to kick off the 2023 season. That productivity slowed down significantly during the second half of the 2023 season, and continuing into this season, Wiley has struggled to get numbers on the scoreboard. This season, Wiley has managed one goal and two assists in 22 games across all competitions. 

Two factors need to be kept in mind, however. First, Wiley is still a very young player and although compared to Davies, is a bit more defensive-minded and more direct in his play. Second, Atlanta United have had a difficult start to the season and the turnover in players hasn’t helped either. Still, Wiley has impressed enough to be nominated to the US men’s national team that will play at the Paris Olympic Games this summer. Following that tournament, Wiley will likely remain in France to continue his development and hopefully long-term become a player for Chelsea’s starting XI.