Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United in the chase for Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko.
The young Bundesliga star is yet to pen a new deal with Dortmund with his current contract expiring this June.
Dortmund have already tabled their offer to Moukoko, 18, who rejected the proposal on the basis that a signing-on bonus was not included.
The Germany international, represented by Patrick Williams, wants to pocket an immediate €10million sum.
With such excessive contract demands, Barcelona are reported to have dropped their interest, whilst United’s precarious ownership situation makes any transfer involving a large fee unlikely.
Chelsea, who have just undergone a major restructuring behind-the-scenes, are now said to be leading the race to sign Moukoko.
Spanish outlet Sport have reported that Chelsea are set to dominate any war to sign the young forward following Ben Jacob’s suggestion that this would be the case two weeks ago.
Christopher Vivell has been poached from RB Leipzig to become Chelsea’s new sporting director. With already established connections and experience working with Bundesliga clubs, Vivell could be instrumental in any talks for Moukoko.
Todd Boehly has recently set a strict new transfer policy: no players to be signed over the age of 25.
Moukoko naturally aligns with this latest philosophy, whilst Boehly has already displayed his eagerness to flex Chelsea’s financial muscle in the transfer market.
United, meanwhile, are on the hunt for a cheap option up front this January, and could be tempted to smartly intercept Moukoko from negotiations with Dortmund.
Having already been linked with the move, Fabrizio Romano claimed that United may start to actively pursue Moukoko.
“I think another big opportunity on the market is Youssoufa Moukoko who is a talented striker. He’s a very good player potentially available in January.
“I would not be surprised if Man United decide to go for something like that.”
Moukoko has scored six goals and assisted three in the Bundesliga this season. He made his Germany debut during the Qatar World Cup.
Manchester United blamed for Arsenal’s struggle to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk
Arsenal are looking to strengthen in the January transfer window with the addition of Shakhtar star Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Mykhailo Mudryk of Shakhtar (Image: © 2022 SOPA Images)
Manchester United have been partly blamed for Arsenal’s struggle to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk in the January transfer window.
Mikel Arteta’s side are looking to bolster their squad this month with the addition of a new forward, and Shakhtar winger Mudryk is believed to be of significant interest to them.
Reports have suggested that Arsenal have already made an opening offer for the Ukraine international, but that offer fell short of the €70m valuation held by his club.
Arsenal are not the only side to have been linked with a move for Mudryk and this week Shakhtar director Carlo Nicolini was asked about Napoli’s rumoured interest in the player.
Addressing the transfer speculation, the Shakhar chief refused to budge in his valuation of the 22-year-old and cited United’s move for Antony as the benchmark for any deal. United paid Ajax €95m up front, with €5m due in add-ons for the Brazil international in the summer transfer window.”Given that we have no need for transfers, we said in due time that we evaluate the player stronger than some other profiles, such as Antony. This is the benchmark,” Nicolini told CalcioNapoli24.“The problem is that Italian clubs don’t take advantage of opportunities, like Milan with Enzo Fernandez, who is now worth over 100 million. When you arrive in time on a player you have to sink the shot, otherwise the prices change.”
Source: thepeoplesperson.com; manchestereveningnews.co.uk
