Chelsea affiliate Strasbourg close in on Messi signing

Tom Weber

• Updated: 7 Aug 2024 15:38 BST
• 3 min read

Strasbourg are on the verge of signing Messi - Rayane Messi - according to French media.

Firmly in line with the transfer strategy BlueCo are pursuing with the crown jewel of their multi-club network, Chelsea, Ligue 1 side Strasbourg are also firmly focusing on recruiting youth.

To that end, the Alsatians have already signed the likes of Guela Doue, Oscar Perea and Pape Diong, all of whom are 21 or younger. Additionally, Andrey Santos has rejoined the club on loan from sister side Chelsea.

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This new approach hasn't gone down entirely well with the fanbase, who continue to vehemently protest against owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, but there is little evidence to suggest that Strasbourg will change their recruitment policy anytime soon.

Indeed, according to French media, their next young arrival could be quite a special one - for many reasons.

Strasbourg to sign Messi

Journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter is reporting that the Ligue 1 side are on the verge of signing Rayane Messi from Dijon for a fee in the region of €1 million.

The 17-year-old wonderkid not only shares a name with arguably the greatest-ever player in the history of football but he is also a very talented footballer in his own right.

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The Dijon youngster has impressed at the youth level and has four senior appearances to his name so far, scoring once. A right-footed left-winger, Rayane plays on the opposite side compared to Lionel Messi.

While the transfer is not yet finalised, it is clear that this deal has been in the works for some time as Strasbourg were already linked with Messi in April. Bundesliga sides were also said to have enquired about him back then, but the Alsatians appear to have won the race.