Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has confirmed that Aston Villa target Ethan Ampadu will leave Stamford Bridge on loan this summer, the Daily Mail report.
The report states that Villa have been interested in the versatile midfielder, with Dean Smith keen on adding to his ranks in front of the back four after releasing Glenn Whelan and Mile Jedinak.
The 18-year-old made the move to Stamford Bridge from Exeter City two years ago and has gone on to make a total of 12 first-team appearances under both Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri.
The Wales international was surprisingly excluded from the Blues’ pre-season 24-man squad to Japan.
And talking to the media after arriving in Japan, Lampard addressed the future of Ampadu, confirming he will leave the club on loan ahead of the new season.
Ethan is not here as we’re looking at the possibility of him going on loan for the season.
I tried to sign Ethan on loan at Derby last year, so I’m a big fan, but with the minutes he played last year, I have to think of the bigger picture and the interests of Ethan and of Chelsea.
The idea that he could play a lot of games somewhere is good for him and we haven’t brought him here while that is up in the air.
Villa have been interested in Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips and Club Brugge’s Marvelous Nakamba, however, with Ampadu now available for the season, Smith may well step up his interest in the Chelsea man over the coming weeks.
