Chelsea transfer news: The Blues have found a potential replacement for Moises Caicedo after reaching an agreement for Stade Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu
Chelsea have agreed a fee with Stade Rennes for the transfer of midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu. (Image: Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Chelsea have acted quickly to ensure that Mauricio Pochettino has at least one new midfielder added to his squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.
With negotiations with Brighton becoming tougher and tougher to progress with, the Blues have moved silently to agree a deal with Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.
The Athletic report that a £23.5million deal will be completed in the coming days with a medical set to take place in the next 24 hours. He has already agreed personal terms and is set to sign a new long-term deal.
Although it is not yet know whether he will join up with Pochettino’s first team squad or head out on loan, Ugochukwu will become the eighth summer signing after Kendry Paez, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Angelo Gabriel were all confirmed earlier this window.
It is in midfield that things have become complicated though. With the exits of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher has been left as the most experienced player in the position.
The 23-year-old could yet leave the club himself with interest from West Ham and Tottenham, football.london understands. Although he has been heavily used in pre-season, bringing about impressive returns with two goals so far in America, there is no certainty that he remains in west London.
It is reported that Chelsea want £50million in order to sell him and has heightened the importance of their pursuit of Moises Caicedo. The Brighton star is valued at £100million but has already had four bids rejected for him with the latest worth around £80million, still well short of the desired fee.
Pochettino himself has already revealed his wish to bring players in to add to his options having turned to Cesare Casadei and Andrey Santos in recent weeks. “It depends on the situation of different players,” he said.
“We need at least one more and we are working on that. It depends on what happens in the next few weeks. We will decide and take our decision”
The Argentine added: “We are working, the club is working on that. We need to add some player there. We need one more with experience.”
As a teenager, Ugochukwu doesn’t immediately scream experience but with two years left on his deal and as a highly rated prospect in France, he is certainly a player to watch out for. He only started 14 league games last season and received some small substitute minutes towards the end of the campaign but it does not seem enough to keep him long-term with Chelsea pouncing to boost their own midfield needs.
Soucre: football.london
