By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Chelsea FC are in advanced talks to sign Nigeria-eligible defender Bright Ede from Polish side Motor Lublin, with final negotiations set to take place next week, sources close to the deal have confirmed.
The transfer, expected to be finalized by the end of June, could break the record for the most expensive sale in Polish football history.
The current benchmark stands at €11 million, and Ede’s potential move to Stamford Bridge is reportedly poised to surpass that figure, marking a major milestone for both the player and the Ekstraklasa club.
Discussions between Chelsea and Motor Lublin have progressed smoothly, according to multiple reports, with both clubs currently in direct communication.
The Premier League side is said to have edged out competing interest to lead the race for the highly-rated defender.
As part of Chelsea’s multi-club model, Ede is expected to be immediately loaned to French Ligue 1 outfit RC Strasbourg, also owned by the BlueCo consortium.
The move is designed to provide the young defender with top-flight experience in a competitive European league while remaining under close development monitoring by Chelsea.
The 18-year-old has impressed scouts with his performances in Poland and is seen as a long-term prospect with significant upside.
If completed, the transfer would represent a landmark deal in the Polish market and a strategic acquisition for Chelsea’s future.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
