Signing youngsters from the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City is always a gamble, but over the last few years Saints have been in profit as several have made the grade in the first team and the sale of Romeo Lavia & Tina Livramento has more than covered the costs of signing the lot of them, now another starlet could be arriving from Stamford Bridge to St Mary’s.
The promising youngster in question is Chelsea’s promising 20 year old midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu according to https://insidefutbol.com/2024/08/15/russell-martin-key-as-southampton-close-in-o who say that Chelsea want to loan him to Southampton, as they are impressed with the way that Russell Martin’s system and philosophy align closely with the ones they are pursuing under Enzo Maresca.
It is said that Chelsea have high hoped for Ugochukwu and are therefore not looking to sell, but loan him without an option to buy.
The ~French defensive midfielder is currently valued at between £20-25 million and played 12 times for Chelsea in the Premier League last season after joining from Stade Rennes last summer for about £8 million.
But with first team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea want to get him match sharpness at Premier League level.
If this comes off it will represent good business for Saints, they get a promising player and he could fill the gap that they are missing in the centre of midfield.