CHELSEA youngster Dynel Simeu has turned down a new deal and will leave the club, according to reports.
The 19-year-old is believed to be close to joining Premier League rivals Southampton in a bid for first-team football.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Simeu has rejected a contract extension at Stamford Bridge.
It’s understood the talented defender will join Southampton – and an announcement is expected to be made very shortly.
Simeu’s contract expired in June and he is available on a ‘free’ transfer, although his next club will have to pay a development fee.
Chelsea are entitled to some cash for harnessing the player’s talent – and it’s believed the Blues have agreed a £1.5million settlement with the Saints.
Simeu, born in Cameroon, grew up in Southampton before joining Chelsea’s academy at U13 level.
He’s been described as a ‘strong, imposing central defender’ by the European champions but is yet to feature in the first-team.
Simeu is one of several youngsters on the verge of leaving Chelsea, with ‘Academy Player of the Year’ Tino Livramento, 18, close to joining Brighton.
Myles Peart-Harris, 18, Ike Ugbo, 22, and Lewis Bate, 18, are also nearing the exit, with Leeds reportingly closing in on the latter talent.
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Academy graduate Tammy Abraham, 23, is also set to leave Chelsea this summer, with Arsenal and West Ham both said to be interested.
The Blues are considering replacing their departing youngsters with experience as Eden Hazard has been linked with a return to the club.
And they have reportedly held talks with Robert Lewandowski’s agent Pini Zahavi about a potential move from Bayern Munich.
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