Chelsea plot move for France Under-21 star

Chelsea came from behind to beat League One side Lincoln City 2-1 in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. 

The Imps had taken a surprise lead shortly before half-time at Sincil Bank, but goals from Tyrique George and Facundo Buanonotte shortly after the restart put the visitors in front.

Enzo Maresca’s side held on to secure their place in the next round, with the draw for round four taking place on Wednesday evening.

In the meantime, it has emerged that the West London side have been working on a possible deal to sign a French defender.

According to TBR Football, Chelsea could make a move to sign centre-back Ismael Doukoure from French side Strasbourg.

The Ligue 1 outfit are under the same ownership group as Chelsea – BlueCo – and several players have moved between the two clubs over the past couple of years.

Doukoure has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs (Photo: Independent Photo Agency Srl/Alamy)

Ben Chilwell recently made the move from London to France, and it appears that Doukoure could soon make the switch in the opposite direction.

The report claims that the Frenchman has attracted interest from a host of Premier League sides, including Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion, West Ham United and Aston Villa.

Other clubs in Europe, as well as some in Saudi Arabia, are also said to have made approaches about the defender.

Doukoure joined Strasbourg from fellow French side Valenciennes in 2022 and has since made more than 90 appearances for his current side across all competitions.

The 22-year-old’s contract was set to expire at the end of the current season, but the report suggests that he was persuaded to sign a new contract until 2028 with a pathway in place for him to move to Stamford Bridge.

Doukoure’s Strasbourg teammate, Emanuel Emegha, is set to join Chelsea next summer after agreeing a deal to join the Blues earlier this month.