Chelsea have agreed a deal with Burnley.placeholder image
Chelsea have agreed a deal with Burnley. | Getty Images
Burnley are set to strengthen their midfield with a Chelsea star ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Chelsea have agreed a deal with Premier League rivals Burnley for the sale of midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu with a medical booked at Turf Moor for the 21-year-old.
The Blues have been busy with incomings this summer but Enzo Maresca is also looking to trim the squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. Ugochukwu spent last season on loan at Southampton and is not set to be part of Maresca’s plans at Stamford Bridge.
The Athletic reports that the player has been given permission to travel to Burnley for medical tests ahead of what will be a permanent move to the newly promoted side. Ugochukwu signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea in 2023 but is now not set to see that out.
Chelsea player set for medical at Premier League rivals
Burnley are set to add Ugochukwu to their squad following the departure of Josh Brownhill as a free agent this summer. Brownhill, who is still a free agent, scored 18 goals in 44 appearances for Burnley last season.
The Clarets have already made 10 first team signings this summer including Kyle Walker, Axel Tuanzebe, Jacob Brunn Larsen and Bashir Humphreys. Scott Parker’s side begin their campaign a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on August 16.
Ugochukwu played 31 times for Southampton last season, registering one goal and two assists for the south coast club. By the end of the season, the Chelsea loanee had become a mainstay in the starting XI, having struggled for a place in the team under Russell Martin.
Ugochukwu praised for ‘fantastic’ Southampton stint
Former Saints boss Ivan Juric spoke positively of the player following his arrival at St Mary’s and said: “I want him to stay here. He has great potential. Chelsea knows what they’re doing. He’s only 20 years old, and working with young players can be tough, but I think he has a lot of potential. He wasn’t playing before, but now he is, and I believe he can be very good.”
Southampton teammate Paul Onuachu also heaped praise on the player. In January, he said: “I don’t know a word to describe him, he is a fantastic player. He was fantastic both defensively and driving with the ball."
Ugochukwu has made 15 first team appearances for Chelsea with the majority coming as cameos during the 2023/24 Premier League season. His debut for the Blues was from the bench against Liverpool on the first day of the campaign in 2023.
In other news, Player completes Chelsea transfer as target goes on strike to seal deal.
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