Latest: Chelsea deal for France U21 set for next summer claims L’Equipe | OneFootball

We’re in the real lull between the two transfer windows right now, with the summer far behind us and January still a few months away.

But for Chelsea, the fun never stops, and that’s especially true when you have a sister club to do deals with. Emanuel Emegha’s deal to come to Stamford Bridge from Strasbourg next summer was announced earlier this month, and it might not be the only one to be confirmed soon.

Blues target Strasbourg midfielder for summer 2026 move

Ismael Doukoure ready to join Chelsea next summer.

TBR Football reported today that Chelsea are laying out plans to sign Ismael Doukore from their sister club, and that report has now been backed up by Cyril Olives-Berthet from L’Equipe.

Doukore had serious interest from across Europe this summer when his contract ticked down to one year remaining, but was persuaded to stick around with Strasbourg and sign a new one because of a clear pathway, potentially to Chelsea, which was presented to him.

“As part of the new deal he was handed a significant pay rise, but he also signed knowing a pathway is in place for him to follow Strasbourg team-mate Emanuel Emegha to Stamford Bridge in 2026,” Graeme Bailey of TBR Football reported.

Chelsea could add third Strasbourg star in one summer

Mamadou Sarr and Emegha are already joining the Blues senior squad next summer – Doukoure now looks likely to join them.

We thought it would take a few years for Strasbourg’s production line of talent to start producing real benefits for Chelsea, but in fact it’s up and running already. Their excellent scouting network and sporting structure has produced results right away. If only Chelsea were being run as well as their sister club at a first team level…

However the hoovering up of yet more talent from the Alsatians won’t endear the BlueCo system to their fans, with tensions already rising.