Arsenal and Chelsea have monitored Boca Juniors midfielder Tomás Aranda, though neither Premier League club has submitted a formal transfer offer or opened direct negotiations, according to reports from Argentina. The 21-year-old playmaker remains under contract with the Buenos Aires club through December 31, 2029, featuring a $20 million buyout clause that increases to $25 million if triggered while the Argentine transfer window is closed.
Aranda Makes Senior Debut for Boca Juniors
Aranda progressed through the youth ranks at Boca Juniors before making his senior competitive debut on January 28, 2026, in a 2-1 defeat against Estudiantes de La Plata during the opening fixture of the Torneo Apertura. Since that initial appearance, the midfielder has recorded 32 official matches across all domestic competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
During his time with the senior squad, Aranda earned the backing of manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena, who deployed the youngster in an advanced attacking midfield role. His progression included wearing Boca’s traditional number 10 shirt as he established himself within the first-team rotation during a period marked by increased reliance on academy graduates.
Peroneal Fracture Rules Aranda Out for Season
That on-field momentum came to an abrupt halt when Aranda suffered a peroneal fracture during a training session with the club. The severe injury required immediate surgical intervention, ruling the midfielder out for the remainder of the current campaign just as he was securing regular minutes in the senior setup.
Medical staff at Boca Juniors have not announced a precise target date for Aranda’s return to competitive action. His immediate priority is completing post-operative rehabilitation before returning to training facilities in Buenos Aires.
Aranda Holds Contract Until 2029 with Release Clause
Despite the injury layoff, Aranda’s long-term future is secured by a contract running until the end of 2029. The agreement contains a release clause set at $20 million, which rises to $25 million if a purchasing club activates the buyout outside of the active Argentine transfer window dates.
While interest from Arsenal and Chelsea places the academy product on the radar of top European scouts, club sources indicate that no bids have been tabled. The situation remains at an exploratory stage without formal talks between Boca Juniors and the English clubs.
Broader Academy Interest at Boca Juniors
Aranda is not the only youthful talent from Boca Juniors drawing attention from English football. Leonel Flores, another academy graduate who has already represented Argentina at the international youth level, has attracted scouting interest from Brighton, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
As with Aranda, reports regarding Flores center entirely on preliminary tracking by foreign scouts rather than concrete transfer proposals. Both players remain fully contracted to Boca Juniors while continuing their respective developments in Argentina.
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