Chelsea beat the deadline to snap up one of the EFL's hottest prospects after confirming a deal with Charlton Athletic for teenage striker Mason Burstow.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a stunning breakthrough campaign for the Addicks, netting six times in 14 games.
That form attracted interest from a host of Premier League sides - but it's Chelsea who have pipped London rivals Brentford to a deal for the exciting forward
The Blues, who finally confirmed the move on Tuesday, have had to pay a handsome sum to persuade the League One outfit to sanction an exit for their bright young star.
But Chelsea could have nabbed Burstow for next to nothing after the striker spent time on trial with the Londoners back in 2020.
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Burstow was just 16 at the time and making waves at Maidstone United - the same non-league club that Fulham raided for Chris Smalling back in 2010.
After impressing for the Stones development sides, ironically in a game against Charlton, Burstow was invited to Cobham for the Blues to take a closer look.
And although a move failed to materialise at the time, Chelsea have kept a close eye on Burstow's development over the past 18 months.
Following that setback, Burstow inked a two-year scholarship with his local club, Charlton, and was handed his senior debut by the Addicks former boss Nigel Adkins back in August.
To say that Burstow was an instant hit would be an understatement - the youngster scored with his very first touch in a Papa Johns Trophy clash with Crawley.
He's gone from strength to strength ever since - and went on to score in the FA Cup in a 4-0 win over Havant & Waterlooville back in November before hitting the goal trail in league action in recent weeks.
The striker netted a consolation for the Addicks during their 2-1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra earlier this month before following that up two games later with another goal to set Charlton on their way to a 2-0 win over Fleetwood.
But that goal had looked like being his last for the South Londoners after Johnnie Jackson revealed that Burstow had been in the squad for Monday night's 2-1 win over Portsmouth before a "substantial" late bid was launched by Chelsea late on deadline day.
And despite their earlier snub, their previous knowledge of Burstow has helped them steal a march on a host of their top-flight rivals by pinching the striking prodigy.
Burstow travelled to South West London on Monday night to discuss terms with the Blues, who eventually thrashed out a deal with Charlton chief Thomas Sandgaard for his services after seeing a number of bids initially rebuffed.
As part of the deal, which was agreed late on Monday night, Burstow will see out the remainder of the campaign in SE7 as the Addicks bid to reach the League One play-offs before heading to Stamford Bridge next season.
Speaking to The South London Press back in December, Burstow was tipped for the top by Addicks development lead coach Anthony Hayes.
“He’s someone who we consider a high-potential player,” Hayes said. “I wouldn’t want to put any pressure on him because I know he sets his own targets. I know there is a lot of goal-setting in terms of creating and scoring goals, as well as making first-team appearances.
“What I do think he is, is a centre-forward who can do everything. He can run away from the ball and he can drop in and link play.
“He can create and head it. He can do lots of good things and the more time he spends in our environment within the first team – with brilliant pros like Jayden Stockley and Conor Washington – the better.
“He’s a centre-forward who excites me with the qualities and attributes that he has. With a little bit of luck he can make plenty of appearances for Charlton Athletic, that’s for sure.”
