RC Strasbourg defender Ismael Doukoure has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, and Chelsea have been hoping to sign him.
According to a report from French publication L’Equipe, talks with Chelsea have now stalled, and Ismael Doukoure is refusing to sign a new contract with RC Strasbourg either. The Ligue 1 outfit have now sent the player to train with the reserves, and it will be interesting to see if the situation develops over the next few days.
The 22-year-old needs to play regularly at this stage of his career, and he will look to make a concrete decision soon. It remains to be seen whether he decides to sign a new contract with the Ligue 1 outfit or move to Chelsea. Other Premier League clubs have also shown interest in the highly-rated defender.
The West London outfit could certainly use more quality and depth in the defensive unit; the 22-year-old could be a handy acquisition for them. Chelsea will be competing in the UEFA Champions League in the upcoming campaign, and they need a deeper squad. Players like Doukoure could prove to be useful options for a reasonable amount of money.
RC Strasbourg and Chelsea are owned by the same parent company, and therefore negotiations between the two clubs are unlikely to be difficult. It remains to be seen what the player decides.
The opportunity to move to the Premier League could be exciting for the French defender. It would be a major step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at the highest level. Chelsea have done well to groom young players over the years, and they could help the 22-year-old fulfil his potential.
Chelsea looking to add more depth
Chelsea have been very active in the transfer market this summer, and they have brought in multiple signings. They will look to improve the squad further in the coming weeks. They have managed to win the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, and they have recently won the FIFA Club World Cup as well. They will hope to push for major trophies now.
It will be interesting to see if they can push for the Premier League title or the Champions League in the upcoming campaign. Chelsea have invested heavily in the playing squad, and they will certainly hope to put on a strong showing in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Doukoure cannot afford to play with the reserves next season at Strasbourg, and he needs to make a concrete decision regarding his future soon.