Liverpool and Manchester United are two of many teams throughout Europe who are set to benefit after FIFA revealed those involved will be able to play for their clubs for an extra week before jetting off for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo are among the Premier League's top forwards but will leave their sides to represent Egypt and Cameroon when the tournament kicks off in Morocco later this month.

• Liverpool and Man Utd receive much-needed boost

  Clubs around Europe will have to make do without some of their key players during the hectic winter months of December and January due to the 2025 AFCON. Stars like Salah and Mbeumo are set to miss a significant number of matches for Liverpool and United when they travel across the world to represent their countries at Africa's biggest stage. Players had previously been required to show up for international duty by December 8 at the latest, leaving some English clubs particularly short during what is always a fixture-filled time of the year. However, FIFA has now amended its rules, meaning clubs around Europe will be able to call upon their African stars for another week.

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  What FIFA said about clubs releasing players for AFCON

  In a statement released on Wednesday, FIFA outlined its decision: "Following fruitful consultations led by FIFA with key stakeholders and, thanks to the spirit of solidarity demonstrated by CAF to reduce the impact on various parties, the Bureau of the Council has taken a decision in relation to the mandatory release of players for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which will take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. 

  "In line with the same principle used for the FIFA World Cup 2022™, the release period will be reduced by seven days and start on Monday, 15 December 2025. 

  "It was also determined that Member Associations participating in the CAF AFCON 2025 and clubs releasing players who would be playing in continental competitions during the release period be encouraged to hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions. 

  "In cases where there continues to be a dispute over the release of players subsequent to such bilateral discussions, FIFA will, in mediating between both parties, apply guidelines that take into account the circumstances of each case, including factors related to the timing of matches of affected competitions, the stage of these competitions, the historical and planned involvement of the players in the matches in question, as well as any other pertinent factors."

• Some Premier League teams set to struggle

  It's not just Mbeumo who United will be missing for the better part of a month even after FIFA's ruling. Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are set to represent the Ivory Coast and Morocco, while Sunderland appear set to suffer majorly with seven of their players projected to be involved in the tournament, including Bertrand Traore, Reinildo, Simon Adingra and Habib Diarra. 

  Manchester City will lose both Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri, though neither the Egyptian nor the Algerian have been particularly prominent in Pep Guardiola's starting XI so far this season. Tottenham will be without a pair of midfielders in Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, but will retain the services of winger Mohammed Kudus after Ghana failed to qualify. Relegation candidates Wolves are also expected to lose five players to AFCON. 

  However, there is better news for others. Premier League leaders Arsenal, their London rivals Chelsea and Leeds United will be unaffected for the period. Liverpool, meanwhile, will only lose Salah, with manager Arne Slot previously revealing the Reds would be able to keep the struggling winger until mid-December.

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  What comes next?

  There are now just under two weeks before clubs throughout Europe say goodbye to the African players who will be present at AFCON. The tournament looks set to be an exciting one with Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Senegal among the favourites to lift the trophy – which will add to an already packed winter of soccer.

  There's a disappointing lack of Premier League action on Boxing Day this year, with United's evening clash with Newcastle the only fixture of the day, but supporters will be able to see Salah's Egypt battle South Africa that afternoon.

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Um dos principais destaques do RB Bragantino, Juninho Capixaba evitou falar em favoritismo sobre o confronto com o Botafogo, pela terceira fase da Libertadores. Em entrevista ao “ge”, o lateral-esquerdo afirmou que os investimentos feitos por ambos os clubes não entram em campo.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

– Isso a gente deixa para a imprensa. Quando a gente entra nas quatro linhas, são 11 contra 11. Não entra investimento, não entra nada. São 11 jogadores tentando brigar pela sua equipe e buscando a vaga na próxima fase.

Após eliminar o Águilas Doradas na competição, Juninho enxerga o duelo entre equipes brasileiras com muito equilibro. No entanto, o jogador de 26 anos afirmou que pretende chegar mais longe na atual temporada.

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– A gente não olha muito para o adversário. Acredito que mudamos nossos objetivos, temos sempre que pensar melhor a cada temporada, melhorar. A gente quer colocar objetivos maiores para que possamos alcançar. A gente vê um confronto como um duelo de grandes equipes. Vamos nos preparar bem para chegar lá e, se possível, buscar a classificação, que é o nosso objetivo.

Nesta quarta-feira (6), o Rb Bragantino visita o Botafogo pelo jogo de ida em busca de uma vaga na fase de grupos da Libertadores. O duelo decisivo será na próxima semana, em Bragança Paulista.

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BotafogoJuninho CapixabaLibertadoresRB Bragantino

The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 9-5, on Monday night. While Shohei Ohtani stole the headlines with his league-leading 17th home run, Corbin Carroll may have turned in the play of the game with a triple in the fourth inning.

Facing a 3-2 count to lead off the inning against Landon Knack, Carroll ripped one down the first-base line into the left field corner. The ball took a favorable bounce towards Teoscar Hernandez who fielded the ball cleanly and hit his cutoff man who had no chance.

Carroll had gone first-to-third in just under 11 seconds. The only person who has done that faster this season is Corbin Carroll. And maybe Elly De La Cruz.

For a little perspective that's about as much time as it took Juan Soto to reach first on a ball that hit off the Green Monster on Monday night.

Whatever your stopwatch says about how fast Carroll made it to third on this hit, the fact that the ball rolled right towards Hernandez is probably the only thing that stopped Carroll from a stand up inside-the-park home run. The ball had barely reached second base by the time Carroll was sliding safely into third.

Chelsea are now believed to be at the front of the queue to sign a Liverpool transfer target in January, and one who Man United have also rated very highly in the past.

Chelsea prepare for Leeds United battle after 1-1 Arsenal draw

Chelsea travel to Elland Road on Wednesday evening seeking to build momentum after their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, where Enzo Maresca’s side demonstrated remarkable resilience despite playing almost an hour with 10 men.

The Blues dominated proceedings during the opening half-hour before Moises Caicedo’s reckless studs-up challenge on Mikel Merino resulted in a straight red card following VAR intervention.

The Ecuadorian midfielder’s dismissal represented Chelsea’s fourth sending-off across just thirteen league fixtures this season – twice as many as any other Premier League side.

Chelsea responded defiantly, though.

Trevoh Chalobah glanced home Reece James’ near-post corner to open the scoring just after halftime, rewarding the hosts’ dogged display, but Arsenal eventually equalised through Merino’s header before the hour mark.

It was a promising display overall from Chelsea, who are still firmly in the title race and must now come away from Yorkshire with all three points to keep pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side.

Daniel Farke’s relegation-threatened side have endured difficult recent form, collecting just three points from their last five league games.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are having to watch their injury situation closely, with Dario Essugo suffering a setback and Maresca carefully easing Cole Palmer back into the team following his return from a groin problem.

Away from the pitch, Chelsea have been tipped to potentially sign a new centre-back in January, and RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba is emerging as a prime contender.

Chelsea favourites to sign Castello Lukeba in January

That is according to CaughtOffside, who report that Chelsea are leading the winter chase to sign him next month, ahead of Liverpool, who are also keen on a move for the Frenchman.

Lukeba, who’s started nearly every game as a mainstay for Leipzig this season, is currently their best-performing player in the Bundesliga behind David Raum, going by average match rating per 90 (WhoScored).

The 22-year-old’s deal includes a release clause which will drop to around £70 million in the summer, but CaughtOffside state that Leipzig could be willing to sell Lukeba to Chelsea for much less at £53 million.

Lukeba, interestingly, was highly recommended to Man United by an unnamed recruitment chief in 2023, according to Football Insider, who told the Red Devils that he’s a ‘generational’ talent.

Chelsea will be without Levi Colwill until midway through next year after the Cobham graduate’s ACL injury in pre-season, but Chalobah and Wesley Fofana seriously impressed against Arsenal.

Some believe the pair might be one of England’s best centre-back pairings right now, so the need for another defender is nowhere near as critical as it was back in October.

In any case, Maresca publicly demanded another centre-half in the summer, so it could still be one worth monitoring.

This week, Tottenham Hotspur fans will get to see Heung-min Son again. On Tuesday, he will be there, down N17, beaming and emotional as he waves goodbye to the club he devoted the prime years of his iconic career.

Poetry has a funny way of weaving its way into so many narratives in football, and there was certainly something romantic about the South Korean legend sealing silverware on his final game for Spurs, ending the endless drought.

Tottenham haven’t really replaced their former captain, just as someone on a level with Harry Kane at number nine has not been signed either.

That may change in 2026.

Spurs lining up new forwards

In October, Tottenham announced a £100m equity injection. What this pertains to could go on interminably, but it effectively means Frank’s first-team squad will be seeing some improvements in the near future. Investment is imminent.

And it’s clear that additions are needed up top, with the potency Son provided – even on the decline, the 32-year-old scored 24 goals and assisted 19 more across his final two Premier League campaigns – yet to be matched.

Should the Lilywhites win the race for RB Leipzig prospect Yan Diomande, with their interest confirmed by Caught Offside, Frank might just land the talisman he is looking for.

The report claims Spurs are among the myriad of top clubs to have sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old winger this season, and such competitive intrigue indicates a market value or around €80m (equating to £68m).

The news comes just days after it was revealed by separate sources that Spurs were in ‘very advanced talks’ with the player’s agents last week to sign the player.

Why Spurs should sign Yan Diomande

Diomande might be in the hatchling stage of his career, but already, he is proving that he can throw down with the heavyweights, having made an electric start to his career in Germany with Leipzig, scoring seven goals and supplying four assists across 15 matches this term, having joined from

The Ivorian winger’s technical skills stand out, and a slippery dribbling style makes him a force to be reckoned with. Coach Harry Brook believes he will “be worth £100m plus” in the not-too-distant future, and so it’s worth Tottenham snapping him up promptly.

Already, we can observe startling progress across a range of areas for Diomande. He is physical and he is fast, and he is also fostering a natural-born clinical edge in front of goal, with his defensive work-rate not leaving much to be desired either.

Remind you of anyone? This could be the new Son, especially since he hails from the Bundesliga, with Tottenham signing their departed hero from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.

Goals scored

0.36

0.31

Assists

0.21

0.31

Shots taken

2.08

2.75

Shot-creating actions

5.23

4.51

Touches (att pen)

7.16

5.55

Pass completion (%)

81.2

76.4

Progressive passes

3.44

4.25

Progressive carries

6.66

4.30

Successful take-ons

4.01

1.61

Ball recoveries

6.01

3.16

Tackles + interceptions

2.72

0.83

Diomande is showing signs of elite balance in output. He’s got an eye for goal, but that doesn’t detract from his playmaking, and nor does it mean he shirks away from defensive duties, from using his speed to cover plenty of ground and influence in different areas.

Son, in many ways is irreplaceable, and perhaps that’s why the board opted against trying to find a carbon copy, as they did with Kane.

But now, real quality, bona fide quality, is needed up top, else Tottenham will find themselves struggling to match the might of rivals at the top of the Premier League.

Diomande has talent in spades, and he might just find himself developing into a winger of a similar level with Son, following that Korean legend’s footsteps from Germany over to English shores.

Kolo Muani upgrade: Spurs prepare move for "one of the best CFs in the PL"

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in a deal to sign a centre-forward who could be an upgrade on Randal Kolo Muani.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 8, 2025

Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhães is nearing a return from injury after the Brazil defender was spotted “flying off the handle” during a friendly football match in South London this week.

Arsenal injury latest

The Gunners centre-back is just one of several injuries for manager Mikel Arteta to contend with heading into the busiest part of the season.

The Spaniard was typically coy this week when asked if any of Declan Rice, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber would be available to face Wolves.

Saliba has been absent for the past four fixtures with an ankle injury, and Arteta said of the France defender: “It was something quite small because it came from an ankle injury that he had, and then he started to modify the way he was running, and he started to overload an area, which is something common.

“But at some point, it became uncomfortable to continue training and playing and we had to stop.

“He hasn’t trained with us yet. We have an extra day. Let’s see if he can be available (to face Wolves) or not.”

Arteta has been missing his first-choice centre-back pairing since Gabriel picked up a thigh injury during the November international break, but onlookers believe the 27 year-old is close to a return after he was filmed in an intense incident in London this week.

A friendly match between supporters of Brazilian side Botafogo was called off after the controversial tackle, and although the £150,000-a-week Arsenal star did not play in the match, a witness told The Sun he looked he “didn’t look injured”.

Arteta typically keeps his cards close to his chest when it comes to injuries, but his number six may well have just raised more questions for his next press conference.

Mikel Arteta is currently in the process of building something of a super team at Arsenal.

While the current crop may have been decimated by injuries, notably in defence, the squad depth that Berta and, indeed Andrea Berta have built in recent years has to be admired.

Berta was ruthless in the summer. It looked as though Arsenal’s business was done but the Italian was not satisfied. Late in the day the Gunners swooped for Eberechi Eze, pipping fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the attacking midfielder. They also welcomed Piero Hincapie in the late stages, just as well considering the current injury crisis at the back.

Their squad depth is widely thought to be the main reason that Arteta’s side sit at the top of the Premier League table. While some players look a bit tired – notably Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi – it has allowed more rotation.

Bukayo Saka has been one to benefit from that.

Has Bukayo Saka been quieter in 2025/26?

A few weeks ago, Arsenal took on Bayern Munich. The score as the game approached its late phases was 1-1.

Arteta made a bold call to substitute Saka. In the last few years, the Spaniard would not even dare to take off his talisman but such is their improved depth, he could afford to do so.

It paid dividends immediately. Riccardo Calafiori – another sub in that game – raced to the byline and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Noni Madueke to tuck away. Arsenal went on to win the game.

Madueke delivered another fine performance in Europe this week, scoring twice, including one rasping long-range effort as the north Londoners defeated Club Brugge 3-0.

The former Chelsea man was given a grilling when he first moved across London but it’s safe to say he’s proven people wrong.

Saka, on the other hand, continues to thrive, although he’s perhaps been quieter than normal. The Hale Ender is still the club’s top scorer this term with seven goals to his name. Yet, after bouncing back from a hamstring injury last term, you sense there is more to come in Arsenal red and white from their star man.

Usually so creative and effervescent, Saka’s assist for Mikel Merino’s headed goal against Chelsea at the end of November was his first Premier League assist for a year.

Now, for a man who created more chances per 90 minutes than any player in the top-flight last term, that is a worry.

That said, the England winger remains one of their most important players. If Arsenal are going to win supreme in Europe and domestically this term, they will need Saka to boost those numbers.

He could do with taking a leaf out of another Hale Ender’s book.

Big-money star is better than Saka 15 years after leaving

The Hale End production line has felt like an endless pool of talent in recent years. From that man Saka to Emile Smith Rowe, Arteta’s first few years were dominated by the two virtuoso attackers.

Smith Rowe may have moved on to pastures new but in the present era he has Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman at his disposal. Both players, certainly Dowman, are the best in their age group in the country. 16-year-old Marli Salmon even made his debut against Brugge this week.

Yet, there are some to have bitten the dust far too soon. Think Harry Kane, once of the Arsenal academy. He’s now a Spurs and England legend, plying his trade for Bayern Munich.

He’s not the only former Gunner playing under Vincent Kompany’s wing in the German capital. There is, of course, Serge Gnabry and also Michael Olise.

While Gnabry’s tale will be more familiar to those of an Arsenal persuasion, Olise’s may not be.

Where Are They Now

Like his former Crystal Palace teammate in Eberechi Eze, the winger had to take the long way round to get to where he is now.

Olise was on the books of the Arsenal academy all the way back in 2009, but he ultimately ended up across London in the west where he played in the Chelsea youth system.

Former Chelsea coach Sean Conlon recalled the story back in 2022: “Michael was also training with Arsenal at the time because before you move into the U9s, you’re allowed to train with multiple teams,” he said.

“But he probably lived closer to Chelsea and they obviously have a great academy so he ended up signing for them.”

The spritely forward ended up trading Chelsea for Manchester City and then finally found a home in Berkshire with Reading.

It was with the EFL club that he became a genuine star of the Football League, moving to Crystal Palace in a deal worth just £8m. That turned out to be a bargain. After dazzling Premier League defenders, notably scoring ten goals and registering six assists in just 19 matches during an injury-hit 2023/24, Bayern came calling.

He moved to the Bundesliga in a deal worth around £51m and the rest is history. Now regarded as “one of the best players in the world” by teammate Gnabry, he’s amassed some truly awe-inspiring numbers under Kompany.

In Bayern colours, the French trickster has scored 29 goals and supplied 37 assists in 78 outings. In 2025/26 to date, the 23-year-old has netted on nine occasions, posting 14 assists.

He’s truly an elite winger and some might say he’s now better than Saka. Based on the data above, Olise is streets ahead as far as goalscoring and chance creation is concerned this season.

The former Palace sensation has also been far more prolific when it comes to take-ons and progressing the ball forward.

A “magician” – according to Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano – he is truly one of the most captivating forwards on the planet. Now worth £123m according to reports, there will be regret on Arsenal’s end that he didn’t stick around at Hale End all those years ago.

Arsenal make "generational" £87m Saka & Rodrygo hybrid a priority target

The incredible attacker, who is a lot like Saka and Rodrygo, could be a game-changing signing for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

5 days ago

استطاع نادي برشلونة مواصلة نتائجه الرائعة خلال الفترة الأخيرة، وتمكن من تحقيق الانتصار على حساب ريال بيتيس اليوم السبت في بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

برشلونة اكتسح ريال بيتيس بخمسة أهداف مقابل ثلاثة، لحساب الجولة الخامسة عشر من الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى، حيث لعب البلوجرانا اللقاء خارج ملعبه.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | 8 أهداف وهاتريك.. برشلونة يتصدر الدوري الإسباني مؤقتاً بخماسية أمام ريال بيتيس

وابتعد برشلونة في صدارة الدوري الإسباني وبفارق أربع نقاط عن ريال مدريد صاحب المركز الثاني. موعد مباراة برشلونة وفرانكفورت في دوري أبطال أوروبا

يستضيف برشلونة نظيره آينتراخت فرانكفورت يوم الثلاثاء المقبل على ملعب كامب نو، وذلك في إطار الجولة السادسة من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويسعى برشلونة إلى تحقيق الانتصار على فرانكفورت من أجل تحسين وضعه في مرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا، عقب الخسارة في الجولة الماضية ضد تشيلسي بثلاثة أهداف دون رد على ملعب ستامفورد بريدج.

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O Vitória anunciou a rescisão de contrato com o capitão da sua equipe, o lateral Zeca. Desde 2023 no clube baiano, o defensor de 30 anos foi peça decisiva na campanha do acesso e título da Série B da temporada passada. Em 2024, Zeca também ajudou o Vitória a conquistar o título baiano, que desde 2017 não voltava pro Barradão. Nestas duas competições que levantou a taça, também foi escolhido o melhor lateral do campeonato.

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No total, foram 65 jogos com a camisa do clube, com 2 gols marcados e 4 assistências diretas pra gol. No Vitória Zeca voltou a ganhar sequência de jogos, assumiu rapidamente a titularidade e se tornou referência para equipe por sua experiência e liderança.

Apesar da rescisão que pegou o torcedor de surpresa, o atleta reforça que se orgulha de ter vestido as cores do clube e destaca que os motivos de sua saída não apagam a sua trajetória vitoriosa no Vitória em 2023 e 2024.

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– Sempre me senti muito bem no Vitória e transformei o Barradão na minha segunda casa. O orgulho de ter jogado aqui ninguém vai me tirar e o meu compromisso desde o primeiro dia se mostrou em campo com a excelente campanha na temporada passada e o nosso bom momento no início deste ano – disse Zeca. E completou:

– Conseguimos devolver o clube a elite do futebol e o que fez isso foi a união de todo grupo e comissão. A minha saída nesse momento se deve ao meu entendimento que o ciclo por aqui terminou. Algumas coisas estão mudando no clube e prefiro seguir meu caminho, trabalhando e fazendo a minha parte pra assumir um novo desafio na minha carreira. Agradeço, de coração, o carinho de todos e a oportunidade de viver esse período junto de vocês, companheiros, membros da comissão e demais funcionários, diretoria e torcedores.

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Com apenas 5 jogos pelo Brasileirão, Zeca pode atuar por outra equipe na Série A, porém, o atleta não descarta atuar fora do país novamente.

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Futebol NacionalVitóriaZeca

Chelsea’s ambitious recruitment policy targeting world football’s most exciting young talents continues to bear fruit, with yet another sensation reportedly on his way in.

Chelsea lead youth revolution through BlueCo transfer policy

Brazilian rising star Estevao has already provided spectacular vindication of the BlueCo ownership’s recruitment strategy.

The 18-year-old forward, signed for an initial £29 million from Palmeiras in a deal potentially rising beyond £56 million, has adapted seamlessly to Premier League football since arriving this summer.

His stunning Champions League goal against Barcelona highlighted precisely why the west London club fought off competition from the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona to secure his signature.

Nicknamed “Messinho” during his youth, Estevao has marked himself out as a potential world-class superstar.

South American football expert Tim Vickery proclaimed him “the most talented Brazilian since Neymar,” whilst Enzo Maresca has carefully managed his integration, so far electing to play the teenager out wide.

Chelsea’s pipeline extends far beyond Estevao, with multiple generational talents already contracted for future arrivals.

Chelsea star out for a month through injury with January transfer stance shared

The Blues will be without him for weeks.

ByEmilio Galantini 4 days ago

Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda, dubbed by some Portuguese observers as “the next Cristiano Ronaldo,” will join next summer following a £44 million agreement – securing him for half his £88 million release clause.

Ecuadorian defender Deinner Ordonez has committed to joining in January 2028 from Independiente del Valle, whilst Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez – another highly-rated prospect – will return alongside Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders in 2026.

Kairat Almaty forward Dastan Satpaev and Corinthians left-back Denner are also set to arrive in 2026 with Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha, though a move for the latter won’t be brought forward to January despite Liam Delap’s latest injury (Nizaar Kinsella).

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol revealed Chelsea have signings “already lined up” for summers 2026 and 2027, explaining their extensive recruitment department exists specifically to identify tomorrow’s superstars.

Now, as per Africa Foot, the Blues are closing in on yet another exciting youngster.

Chelsea set to sign Mohamed Zongo after reaching 'full agreement'

According to their information, Chelsea have won the race to sign coveted teenage talent Mohamed Zongo after reaching a ‘full agreement’ for the 16-year-old.

He’s been called the ‘next-gen Yaya Toure’ after emerging as one of Africa’s brightest young stars to watch, and Chelsea have moved to secure the player.

BlueCo have apparently beat off competition from the likes of Man City and Man United for the young prodigy’s signature, who was one of the standout performers at the recent Under-17 World Cup with Burkina Faso’s youth national team.

Zongo is now ‘set to join Chelsea’ despite fierce competition from multiple European clubs, with their comprehensive project convincing all parties involved that Stamford Bridge represents the ideal destination.

However, the youngster will not immediately relocate to London.

Instead, Zongo will continue his progression at Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club, allowing him to adapt gradually to European football in an ideal environment before eventually transitioning to Maresca’s first-team.