Report: European club closing in on £4m deal for 22-year-old Chelsea striker

Transfer News: Genk close in on signing Ike Ugbo from Chelsea

According to The Sun, KRC Genk are nearing a £4million deal for Chelsea striker, Ike Ugbo, despite interest from several European teams.

The report adds that Anderlecht, Monaco, Watford, and Fulham were also linked with the striker. But it seems that he is headed for Limburg to play in the 1A Pro League this season.

Ugbo has come through Chelsea’s academy but like many other talented youngsters, has been loaned out several times. He has spent time at Barnsley, MK Dons, Scunthorpe, Roda JC, and most recently, Cercle Brugge on temporary spells.

Ike Ugbo of Chelsea was at Cercle Brugge on loan last season.
Ike Ugbo of Chelsea was at Cercle Brugge on loan last season. (imago Images)

While he has had several outings for the U18 and U23 Chelsea side, Ugbo is set to leave the club without making a single senior appearance for the Blues.

Ugbo off to Belgium

It seems like Chelsea are making a habit of selling young English talent this summer. Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi, and Lewis Bate have already left on permanent deals, while Tammy Abraham is close to joining AS Roma.

It’s clear that he was not needed by Thomas Tuchel considering his lack of senior experience at Chelsea. Moreover, the club is bracing itself to add Romelu Lukaku to their ranks.

Ike Ugbo in action for Chelsea against Spurs in Premier League 2.
Ike Ugbo of Chelsea and England against Spurs in Premier League 2. (imago Images)

The club has agreed on a £97.5million deal for the 28-year-old Inter Milan goal-machine, who will compete for starts with Timo Werner in Chelsea’s attack. The two can also play together in the German manager’s system.

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But that is something that we will find out in the future. For now, Chelsea can be proud of the way they are conducting their business considering they have managed to sell a lot of unwanted players, and in the process, generating a lot of funds to spend on incomings.