Chelsea on alert as wonderkid transfer target demands exit

Suraj Radia

28 Jul 2024 20:00 BST
3 min read

One of Chelsea’s long-term striker targets has revealed he is looking for a transfer this summer, with the Blues still likely to be in the market for a number nine.

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Chelsea are the second-highest spenders in world football this summer, behind Aston Villa, but Enzo Maresca’s side have yet to fully address their issue of finding a suitable backup to Nicolas Jackson.

Marc Guiu has arrived from Barcelona for €6 million and, while the 18-year-old has impressed during pre-season, there is still a likelihood that he is loaned out for the campaign.

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With former targets such as Jhon Duran and Victor Osimhen proving unattainable and in talks to join other teams, Chelsea may look to previous targets in the hopes of finding their man.

Chelsea’s desire to sign high-potential players under the age of 23 saw a move for Youssoufa Moukoko considered last year when the Dortmund striker’s contract was running down.

And, while Moukoko eventually renewed his deal at Dortmund, the striker’s agent has announced that the teenager is now looking to leave this summer after failing to break into the first team.

© IMAGO - Youssoufa Moukoko has struggled for game time at Dortmund.

Moukoko exploring transfer options in England

“Youssoufa has a huge potential, which unfortunately he couldn‘t show last season,” Moukoko’s agent Patrick Williams told Fabrizio Romano.

“Youssoufa was promised a lot before he signed, but it wasn't realized. He was always only interested in playing and in his development.

“If it had been about the money, he could have accepted other lucrative offers where he could have earned more than three times as much”.

STATS

Youssoufa Moukoko

F (C)

Dortmund

Youssoufa Moukoko

F (C)

Dortmund

27

Games
6

Goals
0

Assists

Moukoko made just four starts in the Bundesliga last season and scored five times – something which his agent praised and admitted that options from England among other leagues were now being considered.

“I think the fact that he scored 5 goals in 613 minutes says everything about his quality. Few players in the Bundesliga have such a rate,” Williams said.

“It's not a secret that there are enough clubs out here who believe in Youssoufa's qualities and want him in their team. Now we are sounding out interest from England, Spain and France”.