Chelsea handed MAJOR blow in Moukoko race after Dortmund contract extension

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 21 Jan 2023 20:59 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea's hopes of signing Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko have been handed a fresh blow following official confirmation of his contract extension at the Bundesliga club.

The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a new deal at Dortmund, keeping him at the club until 2026.

The Germany international has been linked with a move away from the club, with FootballTransfers revealing that Moukoko is interested in the Newcastle project.

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However, for now he will remain put at the Signal Iduna Park, after signing an extension on his current deal.

Chelsea have previously been huge admirers of Moukoko and their interest in the player was reported during the 2022 Qatar World Cup by David Ornstein. The Blues have changed their transfer policy to align with Graham Potter's arrival as head coach and have begun signing the best young talents from around the world.

In fact, David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke have all signed on permanent deals this January and are all aged 22 or under, highlighting the direction Chelsea have taken.

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Moukoko would hence have perfectly fitted in, and would've provided the Stamford Bridge outfit with the goal-scoring number nine they desperately crave.

Moukoko to Chelsea off?

The Blues have netted just 22 goals in 20 Premier League games so far this season, with Moukoko's international team-mate Kai Havertz their top scorer in the league with just five strikes.

However, it seems their hopes of signing Moukoko have all but ended following his contract extension. His previous deal was set to expire in 2023, meaning he would've been available on a free transfer this summer.

But, Dortmund have tied him down to a longer-term deal in order to preserve his transfer value and keep him at the club.

Moukoko has six goals and four assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances this season, despite making just eight starts. Dortmund currently sit seventh in the Bundesliga after losing their final two games before the World Cup.