‘keep an eye on this player’: Romano confirms Chelsea and Tottenham interest in defender

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with a move for the Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the two London clubs were keen on signing the 19-year-old full-back during the summer window, but they did not proceed because of his asking price. The defender is valued in excess of £30-35 million.

The Italian club believe that he is a phenomenal talent with a bright future and therefore they are demanding a premium for him. Romano feels that Tottenham and Chelsea are monitoring him and they could look to move for him in the future.

It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

Romano said: “He was first of all in the list of Tottenham. One of the players Tottenham considered for the full-back position was Patrick Dorgu. Really appreciated by the club but not a deal to make this summer.

“But for both Tottenham and Blue Co, Chelsea, Strasbourg group the deal was considered too expensive because Lecce asked more for than £30m-£35m more than this to get the deal done.

“Lecce believe that Dorgu is a super talent, so Chelsea, Tottenham, several clubs follow him and monitoring him but is still considered too expensive.

“They want to make an investment on him still not spending crazy money because the player still has to develop but Lecce always say more than £30m-£35m for the player this summer and he stayed at the club.

“But keep an eye on this player for the future because I’m sure Tottenham and Chelsea will keep monitoring him.”

Patrick Dorgu would be a long-term asset

Spurs already have Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies at their disposal. Dorgu could be the ideal long-term replacement for Davies if he moves on in the summer. At Chelsea, Ben Chilwell does not have a future at the club and the 19-year-old could be his replacement.

Both clubs have the financial muscle to get the deal done and it remains to be seen whether they decide to act on their interest and submit an official proposal in 2025. The opportunity to join a Premier League club will be quite attractive for the young defender and regular football at Tottenham or Chelsea could accelerate his development.

The asking price might seem like a premium right now, but Dorgu is a prodigious talent and he could justify the investment in the near future.