By Goal.com News on Wednesday, 11 August 2021
Category: Goal.com News

Chelsea's Ugbo closes in on €5m permanent transfer to Genk

The Blues striker is in final talks over a move back to the Belgian top-flight after excelling at Cercle Brugge last season

Chelsea are ratifying the final details of a €5 million (£4m/$6m) offer from Genk for striker Ike Ugbo, with the move expected to be completed in the next week.

The 22-year-old has been involved for Thomas Tuchel's side in pre-season but negotiations around his future have been going on behind the scenes.

The homegrown star had approaches from Fulham, Watford, Monaco and Anderlecht after an exceptional season on loan at Cercle Brugge. However, Genk's proposal was the strongest overall and ensured that they won the race for Ugbo.

What does it mean for Chelsea?

Chelsea lose a young striker who was with the club since he was nine years old but they continue to make money from their loan group and academy.

Having also sold the likes of Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi and Olivier Giroud this summer, Chelsea are expected to raise well over £100m in player sales.

This comes as Chelsea have accepted a £34m ($47m) offer from Roma for Tammy Abraham, although Ugbo's former strike partner has not yet agreed on personal terms.

These players sales are expected to cover the entire cost of the £98m ($136m) signing of Romelu Lukaku, with further business expected afterwards.

Sevilla defender Jules Kounde is a target for the west Londoners but the Spanish club have taken a strong stance on a £68m ($94m) price tag.

Who else is leaving?

Chelsea are set to allow both Trevoh Chalobah and Dujon Sterling to leave on loan despite impressing in pre-season.

Meanwhile, academy starlet Thierno Ballo is closing in on a loan move to Rapid Vienna.

Chelsea have a host of other players to offload, including the likes of Danny Drinkwater, Ross Barkley, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Davide Zappacosta among many more.

Further reading

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Original author: Nizaar Kinsella
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