Transfer News: Chelsea had two bids rejected for Zak Sturge

Chelsea reportedly had two offers turned down for Brighton & Hove Albion starlet Zak Sturge late in the January transfer window.

According to GOAL journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea saw late two late offers rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion for teenage left-back Zak Sturge late in the winter transfer window.

Sturge came through the youth ranks at Brighton and broke into the club’s Under-18 outfit last season. He has featured 30 times for the team, registering two assists. He also has two appearances for the Seagulls’ Under-23 outfit but is yet to make a debut for the first team.

Held in the highest regard within the club, Sturge has attracted admiring glances from several teams in England and Europe. The fact that the 17-year-old even rejected a contract offer from Brighton in December last year has made him an even more attractive prospect for interested parties, with Chelsea among those keen on signing him.

Chelsea were in the market for a new left-back in the January window after seeing Ben Chilwell get ruled out of the season with an injury. Marcos Alonso is the only option left in the position at manager Thomas Tuchel’s disposal. As a result, the Blues tried to bring in a new player.

? Brighton youngster Zak Sturge has rejected a new contact with the club, amid interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg.

✍️ The 17 year-old left-back represented England U18s in October & it is believed that his #BHAFC contract expires this summer. pic.twitter.com/pDBigRgqzr

— Seagulls Central (@SeagullsCentral) January 1, 2022

Several players such as Lucas Digne and Sergino Dest were targeted by no move materialised. It has emerged that the west London outfit also tried to launch a swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion starlet Zak Sturge.

While it would have been unlikely that the 17-year-old would have been thrust into first-team action right away at Stamford Bridge, given his potential, the English starlet would have been a good acquisition with an eye on the future. 

However, Chelsea saw two offers get rejected by Brighton late in the winter transfer window. While the Seagulls may have turned down the Blues’ approaches, it is unlikely that Sturge will stay at the club beyond the ongoing campaign.

The 17-year-old is widely expected to depart from the Amex Stadium when his contract runs out at the end of the summer, with interest from German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg.