Host of EFL clubs eyeing move for ex-Chelsea player | OneFootball

Ike Ugbo is on the radar of a number of Championship clubs with a return to English football on the cards according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Chelsea academy graduate left West London for Genk in the summer of 2021, having previously spent time on loan in Belgium, the Netherlands and at Scunthorpe United, Barnsley and Milton Keynes Dons.

The 24-year-old signed a four-year deal at Troyes in the summer, after an initial loan spell, and has made 28 appearances in the French top-flight to this point.

Ugbo has been capped eight times by Canada, and was an unused substitute in their three World Cup group games, but is in favour of coming back to England.

Twitter this afternoon.

“Expect player back in England by end of the window.”

Ugbo has only started five Ligue 1 matches this season, and due to his length of contract, it feels like a loan move will be more feasible for Championship clubs, due to the investment it would require to sign him permanently.

Ugbo has only scored four goals in 46 EFL appearances in his career to date, but his performances abroad since suggest he could be of value in the second tier.

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Sometimes towards the back end of transfer windows clubs begin to gamble, with the knowledge that they are unlikely to be able to strengthen their squad before the summer.

A relegation battle would not be the easiest environment for Ugbo to transition into, but his versatility could increase his value to a squad, with a hectic fixture schedule on the horizon.

Chelsea have a good relationship with a number of EFL clubs and, with that in mind, background checks on Ugbo may be fairly straightforward, allowing potential suitors to learn more about the player rather than merely looking at his unflattering goal returns of late.