Chelsea are set to step up their efforts to sign Youssoufa Moukoko in January amid Barcelona’s interest in the 18-year-old striker.
According to SPORT, as relayed by Sport Witness, Chelsea could step up their chase of Youssoufa Moukoko in January. The Blues have been aware of Barcelona’s growing interest in signing the 18-year-old on a free transfer. But Borussia Dortmund will prefer to sell him next month.
Youssoufa Moukoko has emerged as a top target for many clubs, with teams like Chelsea relishing the idea of signing the exciting youngster. The 18-year-old striker is potentially available to sign a pre-contract in January, but Borussia Dortmund will look to sell him next month.
Borussia Dortmund knows the dangers of letting a top talent leave on a free transfer. Hence they would ideally want a reasonable price in exchange in January. Chelsea have been made aware of the situation, and the Premier League side are reportedly willing to oblige.
The 18-year-old Barcelona target has reportedly refused a lucrative deal offered by Dortmund, which would have netted him €6 million per season. Moukoko’s camp are supposedly demanding around €7 million, something the Bundesliga side may refuse to agree upon. Hence, the striker’s chances of departing the club are currently very high.
Chelsea recently stepped up their efforts to sign the highly-rated 18-year-old striker. They would have ideally liked to sign him on a free transfer in the summer when his contract expires. The Blues are aware of growing interest in Moukoko and fear they could get ousted by other teams in the chase.
Hence, they are willing to pay a reasonable price for Moukoko and sign him in January than wait until the summer. Dortmund reportedly wanted around €30 million, going by previous reports. The Blues have invested significantly in young talents since the last window, so the Bundesliga club’s demands may not prove too much.
Chelsea are now faced with an additional problem with Barcelona stepping up their interest in the striker. Xavi Hernandez has greatly admired Moukoko, and the prospect of signing him on a free transfer is all the more exciting for the Catalans. The big question with any potential move would revolve around the financial elements of the deal.
Barcelona have reportedly made their intentions clear and could not afford Moukoko’s financial demands of €7 million per season. Having made their interest apparent to the player, they have reportedly asked him to make significant economic sacrifices to play for the club.
Whether Moukoko considers playing for Barcelona only from a sporting perspective remains the question. One thing is clear the Catalans cannot afford to pay a transfer fee in January, which effectively opens the door for Chelsea to act fast and get an agreement with Dortmund for Moukoko.
