Chelsea are now rivalling interest from West Ham United for the transfer of KAA Gent left-back Archie Brown as boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to replace Marc Cucurella.
Brown has earned the attention of squads all around Europe after a promising debut term in Belgium. Gent only signed the 21-year-old from INEOS-owned Swiss club, Lausanne-Sport, in August. But he instantly grew to the Jupiler Pro League and the UEFA Conference League.
The Birmingham native has also furthered his credentials by giving the Ghelamco Arena side a versatile presence. Now, Chelsea and West Ham are just two of the teams to show interest in Brown’s transfer with Gent also settling their price tag, according to the Evening Standard.
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Chelsea and West Ham are interested in Brown’s transfer from Gent
Gent are open to cashing in on Brown’s strong first campaign in Belgium should teams make offers worth £15m. He also has plenty of suitors with Chelsea and West Ham considering his return to England. The defender left his home nation in 2021 after starting at Derby County.
Brown is a product of the Rams’ academy but joined Lausanne-Sport without ever featuring at the first-team level. He only ever turned out for the Pride Park club’s Under-18, 19 and 21 sides. Yet the 6 ft 2 talent has already featured 31 times for Gent and has laid on two assists.
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His efforts have further piqued the interest of Serie A giants Juventus and AC Milan, plus the Ligue 1 duo OGC Nice and Lyon. The quartet are all weighing up making a move over the off-season with Brown likely to attract offers. While Chelsea and West Ham are exploring depth.
Pochettino is considering Brown as a replacement for Cucurella
The Evening Standard notes that Chelsea are interested in Brown’s transfer from Gent as the Blues want cover for Ben Chilwell. A departure from Stamford Bride is possible for Cucurella at the end of this season. Chelsea also offered Cucurella’s transfer out to teams last summer.
West Ham echo Chelsea’s stance of Pochettino possibly wanting Brown to replace Cucurella as David Moyes eyes a new understudy for Emerson Palmieri. Aaron Cresswell may consider his future at London Stadium at the end of this season. So, the highly-rated Brown appeals.
Samuel Cardenas lauded Brown as an ‘athlete’ who ‘has speed and a good dribble’ whilst he still acted as Gent’s head scout last August. The German left the Belgian giants last October to become the sporting director at Rakow Czestochowa, six years after he left Southampton.
Cucurella joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2022 but has failed to live up to an overinflated price tag. The Spaniard has struggled with confidence since moving to west London and several injuries have helped Chilwell to keep the 25-year-old out of the XI.
