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Chelsea expect to lose Jude Soonsup-Bell as Manchester City open talks - report
Jude Soonsup-Bell is in talks with Manchester City and Chelsea “currently expect to lose” the forward, according to the Evening Standard.
The 18-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and is attracting interest from multiple sides in England and across Europe.
But the Blues’ big rivals City are looking to land a blow by snapping up the young forward, who made his senior debut for Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel last season.
The Standard also reports that Charlie Webster, 18, could leave as well after the midfielder refused a number of contract offers.
The big-money captures of Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadai are cited as a factor as the youngster believes his path to the first team will be blocked.
Todd Boehly has sanctioned heavy investment in the next generation, but losing some of the top-rated talents already playing at Cobham will come as a big blow to that philosophy.
Flip side
Webster’s stance is the inevitable down side to spending on teenage signings, and while Boehly may be looking to stack the academy and the first team with youngsters there is only space for so many.
With Chelsea also thought to be very keen on a mega-deal for Jude Bellingham, and the links with former academy player Declan Rice not going away, the midfield could be extremely competitive.
The senior situation in attack is much more fluid however, despite the presence of Cobham graduate Armando Broja, so if Soonsup-Bell goes it will be very disappointing for the club.
The turnover up front has been rapid in recent seasons, with eye-watering sums of money spent to little avail, so the door seems open for homegrown talent to take advantage.
Broja is slowly making inroads under Graham Potter, and with Soonsup-Bell highly-rated and already making his debut against Brentford in the Carabao Cup last season he would seem a prime candidate to push for the jump as well.
But that ship appears to have sailed and City look well-placed to take advantage ahead of a crowd of interested parties.
In other Chelsea news, Broja is very happy at the club despite interest from AC Milan says Fabrizio Romano.