Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal worth €27m (£23.1m) to sign Stade Rennais teenage midfielder, Lesley Ugochukwu.
According to Sky Sports, the 19-year-old will either join Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team roster or be loaned away, the Blues have not yet decided.
A short-term transfer to Strasbourg, a Ligue 1 team in which Chelsea have the majority of the shares, has been suggested.
Ugochukwu graduated from Rennes’ academy and has since made 60 appearances for the team, including 35 last season across all competitions.
The 19-year-old has six caps for France’s U19 team and primarily operates as a holding midfielder.
With the departures of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and N’Golo Kante this summer, Ugochukwu’s addition would continue the revamp of Chelsea’s midfield.
The teenage sensation might be an alternative to Moises Caicedo after Chelsea sees their latest offer rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion.
Earlier this week, Brighton turned down Chelsea’s second improved bid of £80 million for the midfielder.
The Seagulls rejected a £70 million deal from Chelsea last week for a player they believe is worth about £100 million.
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According to Sky Sports, Brighton will want to receive over £100 million for Caicedo, who they acquired from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle for £4.5 million in 2021. This puts the Ecuador international on par with Declan Rice, who set a record when he joined Arsenal.
The 21-year-old is rumored to have expressed interest in joining Chelsea. If a deal can be reached between the two clubs, personal terms are not believed to be an issue.
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