Chelsea and West Ham are tracking Gent’s Archie Brown with a view to a potential summer move for the English defender.
The 21-year-old left Derby County for Lausanne three years ago and could return to England after impressing in Belgium this season. Brown began his career as a left winger but has made strong progress since switching to left-back at Lausanne.
His performances for the Swiss club did not go under the radar and earned him a move to Gent last year. Brown, who is quick and athletic, has shown his versatility by playing at left wing-back this season. He has a chance of being included in England’s Under-21 squad for the first time this month.
Chelsea and West Ham are expected to be on the hunt for a left-back in the summer. They have been monitoring Brown, who is valued at about £15m, but there could be competition from Juventus, Milan, Lyon and Nice.
Chelsea are likely to want cover for Ben Chilwell, their first-choice left-back. They hope to sell Marc Cucurella, who has struggled since his £62m move from Brighton in 2022, and Ian Maatsen, who is on loan at Borussia Dortmund. Lewis Hall is expected to make his season’s loan to Newcastle a permanent transfer.
West Ham have favoured Emerson Palmieri at left-back this season but the Italy international could do with a younger backup. Aaron Cresswell, Emerson’s deputy, is 34 and almost joined Wolves last summer.
