Chelsea agree Ksh4.9B deal to sign Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes
By Story Agencies, July 29, 2023Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes for Ksh4.9 billion.
The Blues are yet to decide whether the 19-year-old will go into Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team squad or go out on loan.
A temporary move to Strasbourg, the Ligue 1 side in which Chelsea own a majority stake, has been mooted.
Ugochukwu came through the academy at Rennes and has gone on to make 60 appearances for the club, including 35 in all competitions last season.
The 19-year-old predominantly plays as a holding midfielder and has won six caps for France U19s.
Ugochukwu’s arrival would continue the overhaul of Chelsea’s midfield, with Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante all leaving the club this summer.
Ugochukwu’s reports emerge after rumours this week said Brighton rejected a second, increased offer from Chelsea for midfielder Moises Caicedo.
One source had told Sky Sports News that Brighton value Caicedo, who was signed from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle in 2021, in the same bracket as Arsenal’s record signing Declan Rice and will look to get in the region of Ksh18 billion.
It is thought Chelsea were getting encouragement that the 21-year-old would join them if a deal can be agreed between the clubs, with personal terms not expected to be a problem.
Sky Sports News understands there are no active talks between the clubs currently.