Chelsea line up England youngster as €65m flop placed on transfer list

Cameron Smith

• 1 Mar 2024 18:29 GMT
• 4 min read

Chelsea have reportedly lined up Gent youngster Archie Brown as a possible replacement for Marc Cucurella, who could leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Cucurella, 25, joined Chelsea for a whopping €65.3 million in 2022, but the Spaniard has been a huge disappointment since his move from Brighton & Hove Albion and the Blues are hoping to offload him when the 2023-24 season ends.

The ex-Barcelona academy star has made just 12 appearances this campaign, albeit largely due to injury, with Ben Chilwell regarded as Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice left-back.

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According to The Guardian, Chelsea are hoping to cut their losses on Cucurella this summer, with Ian Maatsen (on loan at Borussia Dortmund) also set to be sold.

Furthermore, Lewis Hall is expected to join Newcastle United on a permanent deal at the end of the current campaign. The England youth international is currently on loan at St James’ Park.

Chelsea want Archie Brown

With Chelsea set to search for a back-up to the aforementioned Chilwell, they have identified Gent youngster Brown as a possible target, according to The Guardian.

The 21-year-old has impressed in Belgium so far this season and has been touted for a possible England U21 call-up ahead of the upcoming international break. Brown, who began his career as a left winger, has made 31 appearances in all competitions for Gent in 2023-24, providing two assists during that time.

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His form at Gent has attracted significant transfer interest, with Chelsea set to face competition from West Ham United, Juventus, AC Milan, Lyon and OGC Nice.

As per The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, Brown is valued at €17.5m by Gent, despite the fact his Estimated Transfer Value lies at just €2.9m.

The young Englishman left Derby County to join Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport in 2021, before signing for Gent last summer. However, he could make a return to England this year, with Chelsea eyeing him as a possible replacement for Cucurella.