Patrick Vieira-like midfielder staying on at Rennes in coming season amid Arsenal, Spurs links

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that French-born Nigerian midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu is staying on at Ligue 1 club Rennes for the whole of the 2022-2023 season amid speculation in the media linking him with possible moves to Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window.

Authoritative French sports daily L'Equipe reported in April that the Gunners wanted to sign him as they see him as a future Patrick Vieira due to his physical attributes and playing style.

Ugochukwu and his minders feel that his development is best served by remaining with Rennes, whom he joined in 2012 after spells with the youth teams of ASPTT Rennes and CPB Nord-Ouest.

Rennes have attempted to fend off Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur's interest in the France U18 international by tying him up to a new deal until 2025 - his third contract extension in the space of two years.

One of the top young prospects in the French topflight, he recorded eighteen appearances last season, scoring his first senior goal in a 5-0 rout of Saint-Étienne in December 2021.

Ugochukwu could have played more in 2021-2022 but was not involved in six league matches in the second half of the season due to an ankle injury.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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