The Blues have lost a Kid and this transfer window could turn out to be a wholly disappointing one for the Europa League champions. Brighton have been searching for a new right-back for the last two transfer windows and have assured the 19-year-old he will get his first-team opportunities under Graham Potter.
Lampard rated Lamptey highly and used him off the seat in the 2-1 win away at Hull City in the FA Cup that was his third appearance of the year.
The Blues have chosen to cash in today with Brighton also able to wait and sign him for free in the summer. Brighton pushed to get the deal done with supplies from Lille and Torino also on the table.
Paris Saint-Germain, Nice, and Wolves were monitoring the contract talks between Lamptey and the club but sources at other sides did not expect him to opt to leave his boyhood club.
Reece James’ existence is thought to be an integral factor with the 20-year-old likely to be a threat to Lamptey’s regular first-team chances.
Tammy Abraham and Tino Anjorin are next scheduled for talks to renew contracts at Stamford Bridge following a host of other kids to do so this year.
They include the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori, and James, who have all penned new deals after Lampard’s return to manage the team that he most notably played.
Chelsea have been hoping to signal Napoli’s Dries Mertens from Napoli although the Serie A club have pushed back on all their offerings with the Belgian unwilling to force through a move.
Time is now running out for Lampard to get the striking reinforcements he wants with little time to agree a deal for Mertens or for them to work on other targets.
Chelsea also tried to sign PSG’s Edinson Cavani but those approaches were unsuccessful with the Ligue 1 side quoting a top cost and the player wanting to proceed to Atletico Madrid in the summer.
Olivier Giroud may locate his exit blocked from Chelsea with Tottenham his preferred option but the Blues reluctant to fortify a top-four rival in January. Lazio are also in the market for Giroud but his family now wants to remain in London having been given the choice.
