Ike Ugbo spent the last season on loan at Cercle Brugge (Getty Images)
According to transfer news from The Athletic (subscription required), Watford have started talks with Chelsea over the signing of Ike Ugbo. The Nigerian is on loan at Cercle Brugge but is now in talks with Watford over a permanent transfer of £5million.
The 22-year-old striker has been with the Chelsea academy since 2007. He came through the ranks before going on to impress for the club’s Under-18 and Under-23 sides. Currently, on loan at Belgian side Cercle Brugge, Ugbo has attracted attention by scoring 17 goals in 34 appearances.
Ugbo, despite being an academy player, is yet to feature even once for the senior side. Ugbo’s spell in Belgium is his fifth loan spell away from the Bridge. The youngster also gave a good account of himself in the 2019/20 season at JC Roda in the Dutch second division.
Now it has been reported that the 22-year old is in talks with Watford. Chelsea will be looking to offload the player on his return from Belgium given his contract ends in a year. It has been a month since talks have begun with the Championship side but there is also interest from the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt, Genk and Monaco.
Cercle Brugge had the chance to sign him for £5million but it is understood that the player will prefer to move elsewhere. While Ugbo could have been a good replacement for the ageing Olivier Giroud, there is a skint chance of that happening.
Chelsea are well stocked in attacking areas to the point where Tammy Abraham cannot even get a look in. It benefits all parties if Ugbo joins another club such as Watford on a permanent deal next season because he is unlikely to get a chance at Chelsea if he decides to stay.
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