Chelsea are one of the clubs to have identified KAA Gent’s Jeremy Kandje Mbambi as a target, according to Voetbal Krant.
The 17-year-old joined the Belgian club from KV Mechelen in July 2023 and was first part of their youth team before being promoted to the U18s last year. He played 13 games for Gent U18s so far and managed to attract interest from Chelsea and other clubs.
As well as the Blues, Anderlecht, Lecce, Pisa and Bayer Leverkusen are in the picture to sign him.
Voetbal Krant claim this is their own information and report that all these clubs recently made enquiries about the Belgium U17 international. Chelsea have also held talks with his camp in December.
The centre-back was hoping to represent Gent U23s this season but settled for a role with their U18s. Therefore, he’s looking to change clubs, but the Jupiler Pro League side are reluctant to sanction a move.
Gent are promising the Belgian a place in the U23 side next season, but his entourage are not convinced. They seem to be pushing for a transfer and the report states there’s a good chance he could leave.
The Belgian club needs to be convinced to sanction Jeremy Kandje Mbambi’s transfer in the summer window.
It’s to be noted Voetbal Krant say Jeremy Kandje Mbambi is 20 years instead of 17. This means Chelsea won’t be able to bring him to the UK until he turns 18.
The Blues may be dragged into the saga to put pressure on Gent and other interested parties.