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Chelsea confirm ninth summer signing in £23.2m deal as transfer plan revealed.
Lesley Ugochukwu has joined Chelsea from Rennes in a move worth £23.2 million. Mauricio Pochettino has already given his judgement on the France international, who becomes the Blues’ ninth summer signing.
Amid reports of his Stamford Bridge switch, the Argentine was asked for his thoughts “I think you’re still talking about, we need experience in midfield,” he said. “I have the information you have. My information is a player that is from France that maybe they sign with the idea to send on loan. The information was already in your laptop.”
As part of the statement confirming his arrival co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley were quoted by Chelsea as saying, “we’re delighted Lesley is joining Chelsea. He is an impressive young player who has already made his mark in Ligue 1.
“He has a huge amount of potential and we know he is going to continue to develop and improve. We are pleased that he has joined us in the U.S and that he will be able to integrate with the squad quickly.”
A new Blue in town! 🔵
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 1, 2023
Ugochukwu made 26 Ligue 1 appearances last season and has previously been a target of Arsenal.
Despite the 19-year-old’s arrival, Pochettino is still looking to add more midfielders, especially as it appears like Ugochukwu will be loaned out to Strasbourg.
The top target is Moises Caicedo, but despite a recent meeting with the player and Brighton, no progress was made because the asking price of £100 million was still in place.
The Times also asserts that Chelsea is interested in Tyler Adams of Leeds United and Edson Alvarez of Ajax. Romeo Lavia is potentially perhaps on the shortlist, despite Liverpool’s keen interest and the two bids Southampton has received.
Elye Wahi might join Ugochukwu at the Blues sister, as Chelsea and Montpellier are negotiating a summer deal for the talented striker. After being offered opportunities in the preseason by Pochettino, Angelo Gabriel is also anticipated to finalize a temporary move to France.