Chelsea will reportedly compete with Liverpool and Manchester United for 17-year-old Stoke City prodigy Souleymane Sidibe.
According to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato, Souleymane Sidibe is the subject of interest from Chelsea. Premier League bigwigs like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United are long-term admirers of the 17-year-old Stoke City prodigy. In addition, he is a target for other European heavyweights, AS Monaco and Juventus.
Who is Souleymane Sidibe?
Souleymane Sidibe, better known as Sol Sidibe, is one of the best young prospects in England. Born in Paris, the teenage prospect has spent his formative years in England, having joined Stoke City as an eight-year-old in 2015. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds, rising through the ranks at the Straffordshire-based club before making his first-team debut last year.
The 17-year-old made his first-team bow for Stoke City in August 2023 and turned out eight times for the senior side in the 2023/24 season. Meanwhile, Sidibe has picked England as his national side on the age-group level and currently represents the country’s under-18 team. Meanwhile, the youngster’s progress has alerted Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
Premier League beckons?
Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United are long-term admirers of the French-born England youth international. The three Premier League bigwigs constantly scour the market for the best young prospects, adding highly-rated prodigies to their youth squads.
Liverpool and Manchester United often lock horns for common targets in the market, both at the age-group level and senior football. Souleymane Sidibe has now emerged as a viable target for the two Premier League heavyweights. However, they now face stiff competition from Chelsea.
Youth investment has been one of the trademarks of the Todd Boehly-led regime since his group completed the takeover of the West London club. The Blues have already signed many highly-rated prodigies, with Estevao Willian closing in on joining them. Sidibe has now emerged as a viable target for Chelsea amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Conor Gallagher.
Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City will face stiff competition from well-known European clubs, with AS Monaco and Juventus also interested in Sidibe. So, it will be interesting to see where the 17-year-old French-born England youth international plies his trade next season.
