Newly promoted Premier League club Southampton will soon complete a season-long loan move for 20-year-old Chelsea prospect Lesley Ugochukwu.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on HITC, Lesley Ugochukwu has been the subject of interest from Southampton. The Saints continue to bolster their squad after returning to the Premier League as they aim to remain in the top flight beyond the summer transfer window. So, they have identified the Chelsea prospect as a target while sealing an agreement over a season-long loan deal.
Lesley Ugochukwu and his Chelsea troubles
Lesley Ugochukwu has struggled to make his mark since joining Chelsea from Stade Rennais last summer. The West London club quickly secured the agreement to sign the Frenchman midway through the 2023 summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the possibility of landing Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea eventually signed Caicedo and Lavia, while the presence of many other midfielders hampered Ugochukwu’s prospects. So, the 20-year-old has managed only 567 minutes of game time across 15 appearances in all competitions thus far for the West London club.
It is thus hardly surprising that the French midfielder has faced an uncertain future at Chelsea throughout the summer transfer window. Recent reports have claimed that the West London club offered him to AC Milan. However, a move across the Premier League is on the cards, with Southampton securing an agreement to sign Ugochukwu in a season-long loan deal.
St. Mary’s beckons
Southampton’s interest in Lesley Ugochukwu is understandable. The Saints have been active in the market this summer, converting a few loan deals while completing half a dozen moves thus far. However, they are eager to secure the services of a versatile midfielder before the summer transfer window shuts down.
Ugochukwu has thus emerged as a viable target for Southampton, and the 20-year-old Chelsea prospect can compete with Joe Aribo, Flynn Downes, and Will Smallbone for a spot in the middle of the park. With the two Premier League clubs sealing an agreement, the completion of the deal is close.
All that remains is for Southampton to officially announce Lesley Ugochukwu’s arrival from Chelsea in a season-long loan deal. It will be interesting to see if the 20-year-old Frenchman can resurrect his stuttering fortunes at St. Mary’s.
