
Chelsea
Premier League • England
Spezia come out on top in transfer race as side nears signing of Chelsea fringe man

Spezia are reportedly nearing the signing of Chelsea fringe man Ethan Ampadu, beating a few more Serie A sides to the snare.
Ampadu’s future has looked up in the air for a little while. He is clearly not near the top of the pile when it comes to defenders in the Chelsea squad.
As such, he has been sent out on loan for the past three seasons, to RB Leipzig, Sheffield United and then Venezia. He is yet to make it onto the pitch for Chelsea’s first team this season.
With the Blues having brought in a number of reinforcements at the back, it seems he is not needed. The potential snare of Wesley Fofana, which has reportedly been agreed, will push him further down the pecking order.
As such, a move away looks the most likely option. Multiple Serie A sides have been credited with an interest in the Welshman this summer.
Spezia and Sassuolo have been the main two clubs to have cropped up of late.
It seems that Spezia have come out on top in that race. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that a deal for the defender is ‘progressing’.
He also states that there is a ‘full agreement’ in place, and Ampadu has agreed personal terms.
The Evening Standard reports along the same lines, but they state Chelsea are ‘weighing up’ a loan offer from Spezia, including an option to buy Ampadu for £12million.
Either way, it seems Spezia is the most likely destination.
Transfer the right move for Ampadu
Leaving Chelsea seems to be the right move for Ampadu. He has performed well throughout his last couple of loan spells away from the club.
However, he has never been afforded a place in Chelsea’s side, despite good form. Indeed, to this point in his career, Ampadu has played just 12 times for the Blues, since joining in 2017 from Exeter.
The last time he played for Chelsea was more than three years ago, in the 2018/19 season. Given he has progressed since then, but is still not being given game time, a move away seems best.
He performed well in Serie A last season, and a return to Italy could help him kickstart his career. What’s more, it should allow him to gain form before the World Cup, where he will be hoping to play for Wales.