Chelsea to beat Man Utd and Liverpool to Moukoko transfer

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Germany youngster Youssoufa Moukoko is out of contract with Borussia Dortmund next summer, and Chelsea are reportedly ready to pull the trigger on a winter transfer to secure his signature ahead of time.

Moukoko became the youngest player to represent Germany at a World Cup when he came off the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Japan in their opening Group E game just three days past his 18th birthday.

Moukoko didn't get off the mark in Qatar and Germany made an early exit, but the youngster has been attracting interest since before the tournament, having raced to six goals and six assists for Dortmund in the first half of this season.

READ: Moukoko lifts lid on contract talks and reveals dream club

Somewhat surprisingly given Dortmund's recent track record of cashing in on young talents - Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland were sold to Manchester United and Manchester City for €85 million and €60m respectively in consecutive summers - Moukoko's contract has been allowed to get to within six months of concluding.

Man Utd and Chelsea have been credited with an interest, but it appears that Chelsea are ready to skip the queue according to David Ornstein, aggregating potential post-World Cup transfers for the Athletic.

"Moukoko is set to be out of contract at Dortmund at the end of this season," he wrote. "And there is a school of thought that Chelsea are doing the groundwork for a summer deal ahead of time, but may find a way to bring him to west London next month."

READ: Back to Chelsea: Why flop Lukaku won’t stay at Inter

Chelsea's striker Blues

Chelsea's need for a striker is pronounced. Raheem Sterling has been their most potent attacking force this season with three goals and an assist in the Premier League, but the former Man City man has been played anywhere from up front to wing-back.

Armando Broja, one for the future, was taken off the field on a stretcher during Sunday's friendly defeat to Aston Villa in Dubai, while the prospect of Romelu Lukaku returning from his loan spell at Inter Milan doesn't fill the Chelsea faithful with too much excitement following his abject return last season.