Pantic: I could join Chelsea this week

Partizan Belgrade youngster Danilo Pantic claims he will join Chelsea before the end of the January transfer window.

The 18-year-old midfielder has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season – including five Europa League outings – and has now revealed that the Blues are close to finalising a deal to acquire his services.

It has been reported that Pantic would sign for the Blues before moving on loan to Vitesse, a club with whom Chelsea have forged a close relationship over recent years, with a succession of youngsters – including Bertrand Traore and Lucas Piazon – spending short-term spells at the Dutch outfit.

"In the situation we are now in, going to Chelsea would be the best solution for me and for Partizan," he told Novosti.

"I am not sure when I will be back in Belgrade, I believe in next day or two, and a transfer should be done this week."

Partizan would secure around €900,000 for Pantic, as he has so far refused to sign a professional contract.

Pantic would become Chelsea's first signing of the January transfer window were the deal to go through, with the Blues failing to land Andrej Kramaric from Rijeka, and their bids for Douglas Costa and Juan Cuadrado faltering.

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