The Blues have found a potential replacement for Moises Caicedo after reaching an agreement for Stade Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu
Chelsea have acted quickly to ensure that Mauricio Pochettino has at least one new midfielder added to his squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.
With negotiations with Brighton becoming tougher and tougher to progress with, the Blues have moved silently to agree a deal with Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.
The Athletic report that a £23.5million deal will be completed in the coming days with a medical set to take place in the next 24 hours. He has already agreed personal terms and is set to sign a new long-term deal.
It is in midfield that things have become complicated though. With the exits of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher has been left as the most experienced player in the position.
The 23-year-old could yet leave the club himself with interest from West Ham and Tottenham, football.london understands. Although he has been heavily used in pre-season, bringing about impressive returns with two goals so far in America, there is no certainty that he remains in west London.
Pochettino himself has already revealed his wish to bring players in to add to his options having turned to Cesare Casadei and Andrey Santos in recent weeks. “It depends on the situation of different players,” he said.
“We need at least one more and we are working on that. It depends on what happens in the next few weeks. We will decide and take our decision”
The Argentine added: “We are working, the club is working on that. We need to add some player there. We need one more with experience.”
As a teenager, Ugochukwu doesn’t immediately scream experience but with two years left on his deal and as a highly rated prospect in France, he is certainly a player to watch out for. He only started 14 league gam
