Chelsea agree deal for Ligue 1 midfielder after having fourth Caicedo bid rejected

The Blues are looking to complete another deal this summer

July 29, 2023 at 1:04 pm GMT+1

Chelsea have spent the last 10 days negotiating a move for young French star Lesley Ugochukwu, it has been reported, with the midfielder having caught the eye during his time with Stade Rennes.

The 19-year-old, who has also caught the eye of West Ham this summer, has already appeared 60 times for the French side and was introduced to the side at the base of midfield following the departure of Eduardo Camavinga in 2021.

Now he himself appears on the verge of a big move, with L’Equipe reporting that the Blues have been in negotiations over a move for the teenager for the last 10 days, with the west London side keen to continue recruiting young talent from across the world.

Lesley Ugochukwu of Rennes during the French championship Ligue 1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennais (Rennes) on March 19, 2023 at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France - Photo: Jean Catuffe/DPPI/LiveMedia 2PG40GP Lesley Ugochukwu of Rennes during the French championship Ligue 1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennais (Rennes) on March 19, 2023 at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France - Photo: Jean Catuffe/DPPI/LiveMedia (Alamy Stock Photo)

They claim that Chelsea have ‘opened negotiations with Rennes’ for the youngster, though no fee has been mentioned for the tall defensive midfielder.

Like fellow Ligue 1 target Elye Wahi and new signing Angelo, should he arrive he would immediately join RC Strasbourg on loan for the upcoming season after the Blues acquired the French top-flight side earlier in the summer.

Meanwhile, Chelsea remain in talks with Brighton over a deal for midfielder Moises Caicedo, but have seen a fourth bid of £80m turned down by the Seagulls.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side value the midfielder at closer to the £105m that Arsenal paid for Declan Rice, and matters have been made more complicated by the desire to include ex-Brighton loanee Levi Colwill in any deal for the Ecuadorian star.

It leaves Chelsea in danger of heading into the Premier League opener against Liverpool with an undercooked squad. As it stands, Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez are the only senior options for Mauricio Pochettino to call on, with young stars Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka and Andre Santos also possible options.

Note: The Athletic now report that a deal has been struck for a £23.5m to Stamford Bridge.