Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu is nearing a season-long loan move to Southampton, as reported by various sources. The 20-year-old Frenchman, who joined Chelsea from Rennes for £23 million, has faced limited first-team opportunities due to a large squad and a hamstring injury that sidelined him for much of last season. Southampton aims to provide Ugochukwu with regular playtime to aid his development, although the loan deal will not include an option to buy, as Chelsea view him as a key part of their long-term plans. The move comes amid Chelsea's ongoing efforts to trim their squad and raise funds through player sales, with potential exits for other players also in discussions. Ugochukwu's progress at Southampton is expected to be beneficial under manager Russell Martin, who is seen as an ideal fit for his development. Southampton must finalize the deal before the upcoming Premier League opener to include him in their matchday squad against Newcastle.