Report: Everton make loan approach for midfielder with 'world-class potential' compared to Patrick Vieira

Everton have been fairly busy on the transfer front in recent weeks, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

The Toffees have made two signings so far, landing forward Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille and midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa.

Everton have also sold defender Ben Godfrey and forward Lewis Dobbin to Atalanta and Aston Villa respectively, while Amadou Onana is said to be closing in on a move to Villa Park.

With PSR concerns now behind them, the Toffees can now focus on making more signings, and a few more players could soon be arriving at Goodison Park.

For instance, Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Everton are in talks over Napoli midfielder Jesper Lindstrom, a player who has been compared to Bruno Fernandes.

Now, a report from France has claimed that the Toffees have made a loan approach to sign a young midfielder with “world-class potential” from a Premier League rival.

READ MORE: Everton strike £16m agreement to sign ‘electric’ forward who has chosen to make Goodison Park switch

Everton make loan approach for Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu

The player in question is Lesley Ugochukwu, who plies his trade for Chelsea and represents France’s Under-21s at international level.

According to Footmercato, the Blues are planning to loan the 20-year-old out, and three English clubs are hot on the trail, including Everton.

Better yet for Sean Dyche’s side, Ugochukwu is keen on staying in the Premier League amid interest from overseas clubs, added the report.

Who is Everton target Lesley Ugochukwu?

Lesley Ugochukwu is a 20-year-old defensive midfielder who plays for Chelsea and represents France Under-21s internationally.

The Blues signed Ugochukwu from Rennes last summer for a fee of £23.2million, according to BBC Sport.

He made 12 Premier League appearances last season, and also featured three times in the Carabao Cup.

Back in 2022, L’Equipe reported that Arsenal were keen on Ugochukwu and viewed him as a ‘future Patrick Vieira’.

A year earlier, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout also made comparisons between the reported Everton target and Vieira.

Kulig also said the youngster’s potential was a “world-class” 10 out of 10.

Ugochukwu is currently with the French Olympic football team at their training camp ahead of the Paris Olympics.