Exclusive says Chelsea could bring forward transfer for 18 year old Ligue 1 talent as interest grows | OneFootball

The rumours about Chelsea interest in Marseille youngster Darryl Bakola continue to grow.

Today it’s rumour site CaughtOffside‘s turn to talk about the 18 year old. They say that “sources close to agents industry” have told them that Chelsea are interested in the teenager, who is starting to make an impression on Roberto De Zerbi’s first team in the south of France.

Chelsea eye up midfielder for summer – but could make early move

Darryl Bakola warms up for Marseille. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Signing Bakola would be a very BlueCo deal, that’s for sure. Young, talented and still on the way up, he would fit in nicely with our model and we could see him at Strasbourg for a couple of years thriving before coming to the Premier League.

Arsenal and Newcastle are also said to be interested.

This is exactly the sort of deal we have seen Chelsea make in recent years. It could even happen in January, depending on the price that Marseille want. The Blues are keen to keep their powder dry for the summer and their books in the black, but if there’s a sense that other teams are going to intensify their efforts, the Blues could move their plans forward.

Marseille have him locked down on a contract until 2030, and will do all they can to hold on to him for as long as possible.

In other news…

One player who is not having a good season in Ligue 1 is Kendry Paez, who has struggled to make an impression on loan at Strasbourg since heading there on loan. There is speculation he won’t last the season. He could be recalled to save a valuable foreign loan slot for someone else.

A young player who could be going on loan is Sam Rak-Sakyi, but there is a very important reason why he’s got to sort things out at home before he goes.