Chelsea Confident of Selling Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu

According to a report from Telegraph writer Matt Law, Chelsea are actively looking to sell midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu this summer, just two years after signing him from Rennes for a hefty €27.5 million fee.

Law, speaking on the London is Blue podcast, revealed that Chelsea are expecting a permanent departure for Ugochukwu rather than another loan spell. The 21-year-old spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Southampton, where he showed flashes of his potential despite the team's struggles.

Now, with Chelsea keen to recoup a significant portion of the fee they paid for Ugochukwu, the club is reportedly in talks with interested parties, though Law did not disclose the specific clubs involved. Premier League mid-table teams are seen as the most likely destinations, as they may be willing to pay a fee closer to Chelsea's valuation.

While the details of any potential deal remain unclear, Chelsea will likely look to structure the transfer with bonuses and sell-on clauses to maximize the eventual return on their investment in the promising young midfielder.