In a repeat of summer 2022 Barcelona could be about to do Chelsea more damage when it comes to transfers. The rivalry between them has been well-documented since with Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso both moving from London to Spain.
Haaland and Moukoko celebrate together for Dortmund in 2021.© Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images
Going the other way was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has yet to hit the heights of his Arsenal days at Stamford Bridge. That wasn’t the end of the pair coming face to face with each other though. Cesar Azpilicueta was expected to leave and join Xavi at Camp Nou before his Chelsea deal was extended.
The Catalan giants also managed to beat Chelsea to the signings of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde and resigned Ousmane Dembele. They were involved in one of the transfer sagas of the summer too with Frenkie de Jong’s ongoing contract issues.
Having agreed to sign Barcelona target Benoit Badiashile Chelsea have one back but could yet be dealt a major blow to their 2023 goals.
Borussia Dortmund youngster Youssoufa Moukoko is one of the hottest forwards on the market having scored six league goals in 14 matches. With assists added he averages a goal contribution per 76 minutes. At 18 years old he is already delivering on his promise having stormed through the academy playing up two age groups throughout his time in Germany.
His deal expires in 2023 and is now available to negotiate with clubs that wish to sign him on a pre-contract ahead of the summer and Chelsea are one of many clubs interested. However, Spanish publication Sport write that it is Xavi’s side that are in pole position to sign him.
It is reported that Barcelona are confident of signing him during the summer if they can’t pick him up before that in January. This would effectively block off any hope Chelsea have. Dortmund have already signalled their intent to the player and wish for a decision to be reached sooner rather than later and Todd Boehly will have to keep guard if a move to Stamford Bridge is to be completed.
Barcelona don’t see it that way though with confidence on their side that he will either renew his deal or move to Camp Nou over the summer. They are also quietly hopeful that Moukoko will insert a clause to allow him to leave Dortmund easily in the future like Haaland did, this would again offer them a way to sign the player ahead of Chelsea.
Haaland and Moukoko played together at Dortmund between 2020 and 2022 before the Norwegian left to join Manchester City over the summer. The 22-year-old was extremely complimentary of his teammate, describing him as “the biggest talent in the world right now” after his debut at the age of 16.
Source: Football London
