FRENCH giants Marseille are interested in signing Chelsea youngster Ike Ugbo on a permanent deal, according to reports.

It's believed Belgian side Genk have an agreement in place to sign the 22-year-old striker but the deal is yet to be finalised.

According to transfer wizard Fabrizio Romano, Marseille are trying to hijack Ugbo's permanent move to Genk.

Genk had reportedly agreed a £4million transfer fee with Chelsea for the former England youth international but the deal isn't complete.

That's allowed Marseille to allegedly swoop in at the last minute, with a potential bidding war on the horizon.

It's thought Ugbo will leave Stamford Bridge for good this summer and numerous clubs have been linked with him in recent weeks.

Premier League rivals Watford, Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt and Ligue 1 contenders Monaco are all believed to be interested in the player.

Ugbo is yet to play a senior game for Chelsea but has impressed during his FIVE loan spells in England and abroad.

The talented forward has spent time at EFL sides Barnsley, MK Dons and Scunthorpe but struggled to show his best in England's lower leagues.

His breakthrough campaign came in 2019-20, scoring 13 goals in 28 league games for second tier Dutch side Roda before the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Genk's interest is likely to be the result of the form he showed last season for Cercle Brugge, scoring 16 goals in the Belgian top flight.

Ugbo, who has a year on his existing deal, has enjoyed a full pre-season with Chelsea – scoring in their 2-1 friendly win against Bournemouth.

The Lewisham-born youngster has represented England at U17 and U20 levels, helping the U20s win the prestigious Toulon Tournament in 2017.

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