Report: Dortmund eye-up young French defensive midfielder
Germany's main sporting tabloid reports that Borussia Dortmund have defensive midfielder Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu of Stade Rennes in their sights as a potential Axel Witsel replacement.
Some six years ago, BVB sporting director Michael Zorc reached out to French club Rennes in order to acquire French international Ousmane Dembélé. Germany's Sport Bild currently reports that, in his final year as Dortmund's chief personnel boss, Zorc may be looking to the very same club in order to procure a young prospect very much in the defensive midfield anchor mold of the sure-to-depart Axel Witsel.
The Boulevard-Blatt claims that Zorc is interested in making a play for 18-year-old Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu of Les Rouge et Noir. The French youth international--valued at some €2.5 million in the latest transfermarkt listings--has made 17 appearances across all competitions for Rennes this season, scoring once.
Sport Bild reports that die Schwarzgelben have competition for Ugochukwu's services. London clubs Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur are also thought to be interested. The player's current contract with the Ligue 1 club runs through 2024.