Rennes target Lecce star to compensate for the departure of Ugochukwu to Chelsea 

Ligue 1 club Rennes are targeting a move for Lecce's Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand to compensate for the departure of Lesley Ugochukwu to Chelsea. 

The France underage international of Nigerian descent completed his transfer to Chelsea this week, signing a seven-year contract to end his association with boyhood club Rennes, where he spent more than a decade.

Ugochukwu has resumed training with Chelsea and was a non-playing substitute in their final friendly in the United States against Borussia Dortmund. 

Previously, former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic had been touted as the successor to the French-Nigerian starlet, which has been disputed by a section of the French media due to the age of the Serbian. 

According to French sports daily L'Equipe via Jeunesfooteux, the sporting director of Rennes, Florian Maurice, would have checked the name of Morten Hjulmand as Ugochukwu's replacement.

Rennes coach Bruno Genesio has admitted that Ugochukwu has to be replaced and there are several players being monitored.

Ugochukwu, nephew of retired Nigeria international Onyekachi Apam, has departed Rennes after making 60 appearances, including 47 in the Ligue 1. 

The 19-year-old has returned to Cobham with the Chelsea squad after their summer tour of the United States. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

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