Fabrizio Romano claims Dynel Simeu will join Southampton after rejecting new Chelsea contract

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Fabrizio Romano has claimed on Twitter that Dynel Simeu has rejected a new contract with Chelsea and will join Southampton on a free transfer.

Simeu is one of several young players who look set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Lewis Bate is reportedly set to join Leeds. Meanwhile, Tino Livramento is close to signing for Brighton.

Simeu is also seemingly set to join a Premier League rival. Romano has claimed on Twitter that he is close to signing for Southampton.

The journalist suggested that the move will be a free transfer.

Who is Dynel Simeu?

The 19-year-old is a centre-back. He did not get the chance to make his first-team debut with the Blues.

However, he was a stalwart of the under-23 side last season. He made 19 appearances in Premier League 2.

Simeu captained the Blues for many of those games.

He was also named on the bench for a Champions League game during Frank Lampard’s tenure.

Interestingly, Simeu looks set to return to familiar surroundings. He has previously spoken about playing Sunday league football in Southampton when he was younger.

Coup for Southampton as Simeu deal nears

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men certainly appear to need greater depth at centre-back. There are doubts over the future of Jannik Vestergaard at St Mary’s.

Should the Dane leave, their options will be thin. Behind Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu, Hasenhuttl only has Jack Stephens before he is moving a player out of position.

Of course, Simeu is unlikely to make an immediate impact in the first-team. But Chelsea offering him a deal highlights what a coup it could be for the Saints.