Celta Vigo to rival Leganés for Keneth Omeruo’s signature — report

Eternal Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo enjoyed a rather successful 2018-19 season at CD Leganés, making 28 appearances in La Liga and helping the club avoid relegation with relative ease. His performances were impressive enough for Leganés to be interested in signing him up permanently, though they have been looking to get a discount on the 25-year-old’s €6-7m asking price / buy-option.

Today, Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella reports that another La Liga club, Celta Vigo are interested in Omeruo’s services. Whether this interest is real or simply a story intended to motivate Leganés to stop dragging their feet remains to be seen.

One thing is clear however. Omeruo, who is earning rave reviews for his performances with Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations right now, is done with the loanee life and is ready to settle down in a stable environment with his young family.

“I think now’s the time for me to leave, to find a place, to be my own man. I’m married with a baby now, so I need stability. Chelsea have done amazingly for me, and for my family as well, but it’s the time when I need to reach my potential and get where I think I deserve to be.

“I don’t want to be that player who, because I can earn money playing at Chelsea, just sits and waits for injuries or maybe an FA Cup game. If you’re not going to use me then let me go and play. I’m realistic, I know Chelsea have so many amazing players, central defenders as well. It’s just the opportunity – I haven’t been given one. If I get one I’ll take it but I can’t just sit around.”

- Kenneth Omeruo; source: Guardian

That opportunity is unlikely to come along this summer either, with Omeruo busy on international duty and Chelsea already starting training camp with the likes of Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, and Ethan Ampadu involved — and Andreas Christensen, David Luiz, and Antonio Rüdiger coming in later. It would be in the best interest of all involved to get a deal done.