West Brom have been dealt bad news in Valerien Ismael’s pursuit of Trevoh Chalobah as Lorient are keen to re-sign the Chelsea midfielder, according to Foot Mercato.
Chalobah spent last season on loan with the Ligue 1 outfit, but has returned to Stamford Bridge as Les Merlus did not hold an option for a permanent transfer. Now, they intend to hold talks with the London outfit over any potential deal to take him back to France.
Lorient would gladly sign Chalobah on loan again or strike a permanent transfer with Chelsea. Foot Mercato describe the 22-year-old’s impact as one of the ‘rare satisfactions’ of the Stade du Moustoir native’s torrid 2020/21 campaign, having delivered a big impact.
Lorient ended the season just two points clear of the relegation places, thanks partly to the work Chalobah conducted in their engine room. He also featured at centre-half toward the end of the campaign, where he struck one of his two goals and both of his assists.
Now, Chalobah could return to Lorient, but Ismael hopes West Brom can agree a deal with Chelsea this summer. That’s according to the Express and Star, who claim the new Baggies boss has given his blessing to a transfer.
It is also noted that the Blues have made the £12,000-per-week talent available for a move away from Stamford Bridge. Chalobah has two years remaining on his contract in the capital but is still to make his senior Chelsea debut.
Lorient deal West Brom bad news in pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Chalobah
Lorient have certainly dealt West Brom bad news in Ismael’s pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Chalobah with desires to re-sign him. The former England U21 international knows that returning to the Stade du Moustoir will see him return to a club where he will play regularly.
Christophe Pelissier started Chalobah 24 times in 29 Ligue 1 appearances last season. The Chelsea product was also one of Les Merlus’ stars in Pelissier’s system, which will surely appeal to the 22-year-old. Knowing that returning will see him be one a key player again.
Ismael may not guarantee Chalobah that at West Brom, who can also not offer top-flight football after their relegation. Lorient may have come close to the drop themselves, but will want to push up the table next season.
And after playing in the Championship with Huddersfield and Ipswich previously, Chalobah could consider West Brom a backwards move. Denying Ismael the chance to work with a player former Terriers boss Mark Hudson claimed, via Yorkshire Live, is ‘fantastic’.
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