March 26, (THEWILL) – Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are expected to compete for Rennes midfielder, Lesley Ugochukwu, in the summer as the teenager’s talent continues to draw the attention of clubs in Europe’s biggest leagues.
In his 17 appearances this season, the 18-year-old has mostly played off the bench to help cover the vacuum left by Eduardo Camavinga’s summer departure to Real Madrid.
Despite his limited playing time – 501 minutes in total – Ugochukwu’s performances have piqued interest in the rival north London sides of Arsenal and Spurs.
Arsenal is said to be first in line for his signature, with scouts seeing Ugochukwu as the “next Patrick Vieira.”
Spurs, on the other hand, are thought to be great fans of the teenage midfielder and are set to make Ugochukwu an attractive offer. Fans may recognise his name because he played the final ten minutes of the first Europa League match between the two clubs earlier this season.
Both London clubs are thought to be the most interested, while Borussia Dortmund is also mentioned as a possible suitor.
Former Rennes director Landry Chauvin compared Ugochukwu to French star Marcel Desailly, predicting that his career would take off as a centre-back or defensive midfielder, but his box-to-box ability have dazzled observers since his promotion to the first team.
Rennes are hesitant to part ways with Ugochukwu, who is under contract until 2024, and hope to persuade him to continue his growth at Roazhon Park for the time being.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
