Chelsea’s ownership group ends Julio Enciso pursuit after failed medical | OneFootball

Julio Enciso’s proposed move from Brighton and Hove Albion to the Chelsea ownership group has collapsed after the midfielder failed a medical.

The 21-year-old Paraguay international was set to join French side Strasbourg for a fee of around £13.8 million.

Strasbourg and Chelsea share the same BlueCo ownership, with the plan being for Enciso to spend the season in Ligue 1 before a possible switch to Stamford Bridge next year.

However, reports from Paraguay confirmed on Tuesday that medical checks revealed issues linked to his long-term knee problems.

Enciso has undergone three separate operations on his left knee, the most recent of which took place earlier this summer.

The setback comes after weeks of negotiations between Brighton and BlueCo, who had already agreed personal terms with the player.

Enciso’s move was seen as a solution for his lack of opportunities at Brighton, where head coach Fabian Hurzeler had not included him in his plans for the coming season.

He joined the Seagulls from Club Libertad in 2022 for an initial £9.5m and has since made 57 appearances, scoring five goals and providing six assists.

Enciso’s time in England has been marked by flashes of brilliance, including his goal of the season strike against Manchester City in 2023.

But injuries have continually disrupted his progress and left doubts about his durability at the highest level.

The midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town, scoring twice and providing three assists in 13 matches.

Despite his contributions, Ipswich were relegated back to the Championship after one season in the Premier League.

BlueCo had hoped Strasbourg would provide the environment for Enciso to regain form and fitness before being assessed for Chelsea’s squad.

The collapse of the transfer raises questions about Enciso’s immediate future at Brighton, where his contract runs until 2026.

Reports in England and South America suggest the player will remain sidelined as he continues rehabilitation from surgery.

Enciso has previously attracted interest from Inter Milan, Porto and Sporting, but his injury record has limited serious offers.

For now, the Paraguayan international faces an uncertain future as Brighton weigh up their next steps.