Chelsea Close to Signing French Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes for €27m (£23.2m)
Chelsea Football Club is reportedly on the verge of securing the signature of talented French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes for a fee of €27 million (£23.2 million). The 19-year-old has made a significant impact in Ligue 1, boasting 47 appearances for Rennes and even featuring in the Europa League.
Ugochukwu’s potential is evident, as he has represented France at the under-17, under-18, and under-19 levels. Although he is yet to make his senior debut for the national team, his performances at the youth level have caught the attention of top clubs across Europe.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino recently highlighted the need to bolster the squad’s midfield options, and Ugochukwu appears to be a prime candidate to fulfill that requirement. However, there is a possibility that he might not immediately don the Chelsea shirt upon signing. Reports suggest that he could be loaned out to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, as the Blues’ ownership group obtained a majority stake in the Alsace club in June.
The move to sign Ugochukwu fits well with Chelsea’s broader strategy of investing in promising young talents with the potential to become future stars in world football. The club has been working to trim their squad following an extravagant spending spree of £600 million over the past two transfer windows.
This summer, Chelsea witnessed notable departures, with players like Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic, and Mason Mount leaving for Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United, respectively. Additionally, seasoned stars such as N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy opted to pursue their careers in the Saudi Pro League. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic also made the switch to Italian giants AC Milan.
Despite these departures, the Blues have been active in the transfer market, adding promising talents to their ranks. The potential signing of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is reportedly being pursued, though Chelsea has faced rejection with a series of bids. Moreover, West Ham has shown interest in midfielder Conor Gallagher, with an offer of £40 million on the table.
While strengthening their midfield with Ugochukwu’s potential acquisition, Chelsea has also focused on bolstering their attacking options. The club has already secured attackers Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, along with Brazilian youngster Angelo Gabriel.
As negotiations near completion for Lesley Ugochukwu’s transfer, Chelsea fans eagerly await the announcement of the young French midfielder’s arrival. With an eye on the future and a commitment to talent development, the Blues continue to shape their squad to compete at the highest level in both domestic and European competitions.