CHELSEA do not have the option to buy back youngster Tariq Lamptey – leaving Blues fans devastated.
Frank Lampard sold the 19-year-old to the Brighton for £4million in January as he approached the final six months of his contract.
He only featured three times for Chelsea and a further eight for the Seagulls last season.
But the right-back has come of age in the early weeks of the season, assisting Leandro Trossard’s goal against Chelsea while troubling the visitors’ defence throughout with his blistering pace.
And, on Sunday, Lamptey won a penalty against Newcastle in another terrific display from the teenager.
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It left supporters flooding social media questioning whether Chelsea had the option to bring Lamptey back to the club in the future.
One said: “Are we going to buy Lamptey back in the future for a fortune after letting him go?”
Another said: “How long until Chelsea try to buy Tariq Lamptey back?”
A third added: “Lamptey was amazing tonight. Sadly for him Chelsea have Reece James but no doubt in my mind Lamptey will do great things.”
But Brighton do not need to worry about Chelsea returning for his signature in the future.
I hope there is a buy back clause on Lamptey.
Because Roman needs to buy him back first thing tomorrow morning.
— Mfonobong
(@VintageMAk) September 14, 2020
Lampard wanted the player to stay at Stamford Bridge but knew game time would be limited behind Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James in the pecking order.
Lamptey wanted first-team football and Chelsea were not willing to stand in the way of his development.
The England Under-21 international, being scouted by Ghana, penned a contract at Brighton until the summer of 2023 after joining the Chelsea academy at the age of eight.
