Chelsea agree £23.5m midfielder transfer in fifth summer signing for Pochettino

Chelsea have reportedly agreed a £23.5million deal to sign 19-year-old midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Stade Rennes. Talks have accelerated quickly for the teenage talent who is set to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours ahead of his proposed switch to Stamford Bridge.

Mauricio Pochettino has been crying out for midfield reinforcements following the departures of Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante and now a new arrival appears to be imminent.

However, there is still a strong likelihood the Frenchman could be heading back to Ligue 1 next season for a loan spell with Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have now reached an agreement on a fee with Rennes after deciding to launch a move in the past few days.

It’s understood Ugochukwu has already agreed personal terms and will sign a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.

Ugochukwu featured 26 times in the French top-flight last season and is the latest talent off the Rennes conveyor belt.

The French club boast a fine record of developing young gems and now they are set for another sizeable payday.

He will become the fifth new face through the door in west London following the arrivals of Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Angelo and Diego Moreira.

But Pochettino is still hungry for more signings and more specifically, players that can immediately be thrust into his squad and starting XI.

Since the arrival of Todd Boehly in 2022, Chelsea have made an effort to sign a host of young players as they continue to build for the future but the majority of those stars are likely to be heading out on loan this season.

Pochettino therefore desires more experience and the Blues are still yet to make the breakthrough in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo has been the subject of four rejected bids from Chelsea but the Blues are yet to lie down in their attempts to land the Ecuador international.

The player wants the move but having only recently signed a new long-term contract with the club, he may have to remain at the Amex if Brighton do not lower their £100m valuation.

Chelsea’s latest bid was worth £80m but it was reportedly rejected within seconds by the Seagulls.

Romeo Lavia is another midfielder of interest but the Belgian is now edging closer to joining Liverpool from Southampton although an agreement is yet to have been reached.

The Blues are also in the hunt for Montpellier forward Elye Wahi but face competition from Spain and Germany.

Their opening verbal proposal of £21.5m was rejected earlier this week by the French club.