Southampton are in advanced talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu on loan according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.
Ugochukwu joined Chelsea last summer from French side Rennes for an estimated £23.5m and made 13 appearances under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
The 20-year-old missed almost the second half of the season with a hamstring injury, but returned in the final few games of the campaign.
Southampton are in advanced talks to sign Ugochukwu on loan
The Blues have been busy in the market and although they are focused on signing Victor Osimhen and Joao Felix, they have many players they need before the end of the window.
However, it looks like they will have one more player to worry about next season as Ornstein has reported that Southampton are in advanced talks with Chelsea to sign Ugochukwu on loan.
He took X.com and said:
EXCL: Southampton are in advanced talks to sign Lesley Ugochukwu on a one-year loan from Chelsea. No option to buy – lots of questions but not for sale; 20yo midfielder for the most part #CFC long term plans. #SaintsFC + Martin was seen as ready for development @TheAthleticFC.”
? EXCL: Southampton are in advanced talks to sign Lesley Ugochukwu on a one-year loan from Chelsea. No option to buy – lots of questions but not for sale; 20yo midfielder for the most part #CFC long term plans. #SaintsFC + Martin was seen as ready for development @TheAthleticFC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 15, 2024
Reports add that there will be no option to buy in the deal and that the Blues see the Frenchman as a major part of their long-term plans.
Ornstein says Chelsea believes he has similar characteristics to Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni.
If the move is completed it will be a great opportunity for Ugochukwu to play in the Premier League every week which will greatly help his development.
The midfielder has been impressive in pre-season and scored a last-minute equalizer in the draw against Inter Milan last weekend.
Chelsea are blessed with options in the middle of the park so a loan move makes perfect sense and he looks set to become the club's second young player on loan after Andrey Santos rejoined Strasbourg.
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