Rumour Mills: Chelsea, Arsenal in transfer race for Motor Lublin’s Nigerian prospect Bright Ede

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye

English Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly locked in a transfer battle for Motor Lublin’s Nigerian descent forward Bright Ede, with the former emerging as early frontrunners to land the highly-rated teenager.

Ede, who joined Polish second-tier side Motor Lublin during the winter transfer window, has quickly attracted attention from Europe’s elite, with Chelsea said to be leading the race. According to multiple reports, the West London club is already in advanced talks and could finalize a deal as early as this summer.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate Chelsea intend to loan Ede to their sister club, RC Strasbourg, as part of a long-term development strategy—a model the club has used for several of its emerging talents.

Arsenal, meanwhile, remain interested but have not yet matched Chelsea’s level of engagement, keeping the transfer race open but increasingly tilted in the Blues’ favour.

Chelsea representatives are believed to have met with Ede’s camp in Wroclaw during the recent UEFA Europa Conference League final, further strengthening their position in the negotiations.

For Motor Lublin, a potential transfer represents a historic financial windfall. The deal is expected to surpass the current Polish league transfer record of €11 million, setting a new benchmark and highlighting the growing international appeal of young talent emerging from Poland.

While no official agreement has been announced, the competition for Ede’s signature underscores the increasing attention on dual-nationality players of Nigerian descent across Europe.