Aston Villa want to sign Ethan Ampadu on a season-long loan deal if the teenager is made available for transfer this summer, reports The Guardian.
Dean Smith’s side have wasted no time bolstering their options ahead of their Premier League return after agreeing a club-record deal for Club Brugge striker Wesley.
Villa have also signed Jota from city rivals Birmingham, while Stoke’s Jack Butland has also been lined up by the newly promoted outfit.
Villa also want to be kept updated about Ampadu’s immediate future at Chelsea, though Maurizio Sarri’s departure, coupled with the fact Chelsea could start a FIFA-imposed transfer ban this summer, reduces the chances of a loan move away.
With club legend Frank Lampard expected succeed Sarri at Chelsea, Ampadu may get a run of games next season having failed to make a serious impression under the Italian.
Ampadu, 18, is capable of playing in central defence and central midfield and would fill the void left by Axel Tuanzebe, who is expected to stay at Manchester United this summer.
Ampadu didn’t make a single appearances in the Premier League last season and was limited to just 128 minutes of action in Chelsea’s Europa League-winning campaign.
