Chelsea are close to completing the £23million signing of Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, talkSPORT understands.
The 19-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours after agreeing personal terms with the Blues.
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It is understood Ugochukwu could be loaned out to Strasbourg for the 2023/24 season.
The Frenchman has made 47 appearances for Rennes in Ligue 1 after breaking into the side in 2021.
Chelsea remain in the market for a first-choice midfielder having sold a number of players this summer.
The departures of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount have left manager Mauricio Pochettino short.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have had a number of bids rejected for Brighton star Moises Caicedo, including a recent offer worth £80million.
talkSPORT understands the Seagulls will not entertain offers less than £100m for the Colombia midfielder.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi acknowledged the possibility of Caicedo leaving during a press conference on Friday.
He said: “If Caicedo leaves, we will bring another big player. If Caicedo stays with us, I will be very happy.
“But it’s not my job to decide who leaves and who comes [to the club].”
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He added: “It’s not my problem, the transfer market.
“I hope we can bring another couple of players because I need it. But if we sell anyone we will bring other big players, other good players.”
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