Transfer News: Chelsea keeping tabs on 17-year-old PSG starlet

Transfer News: Chelsea are interested in signing PSG winger Ismael Ghabri

According to ‘claims in France’, as relayed by the Mirror, Chelsea intend to launch a move for PSG winger Ismael Ghabri in the summer window. 

Paris Saint-Germain’s academy product Ismael Ghabri has impressed lately and as a result, received the call-up from Mauricio Pochettino to feature for the senior team. The 17-year-old made three appearances for the Parisians, who would be buzzing to have a youth product making his mark on the star-studded senior team.

However, without binding Ismael into a new contract, PSG could lose the youngster for free in the summer when his contract ends. Even though the French U18 star would prefer a stay at his local club, he is keeping his ears open for a better offer. 

Ismael Ghabri with PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino and Lionel Messi.
Ismael Ghabri with PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino and Lionel Messi.

Chelsea are looking to take advantage of the situation and are keeping a close tab on Ismael. It is also said that Blues are intending to make an offer in the summer window for the highly-talented youngster. 

A good move for Chelsea?

The partnership of N’Golo Kanté, Mateo Kovačić and Jorginho has been the core of our team. However, in this season, all three suffered fitness issues that derailed our chances of seriously challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title.

The French star and the Croatian international are back, but the Italian is still yet to return to full fitness, which would only pressure Thomas Tuchel in the coming weeks. He was missing against the Citizens and we felt the full force of his absence.

Chelsea target Ismail Gharbi in action for PSG.
Chelsea target Ismail Gharbi in action for PSG.

Ghabri, in that regard, is a young player- one for the future. A player who can play out wide on the left side of midfield, he is also an able operator in the centre of the pitch. Chelsea have been known for signing some of the world’s brightest young talent in the past decade and a half, and Ismael would be no different.

Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher are perhaps in line to have a shot in Chelsea’s midfield, but Ghabri, at 17, is a player we can nurture to future-proof our midfield for the long term. Still in his formative phases, he can benefit from coaching under Thomas Tuchel.

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But it is important that we put forth a good project for him to be enticed by. Bringing him here just for loaning him out- if that ever turns out to be our plan for him- doesn’t really make sense in that regard. He has already featured for PSG’s senior team and would have a taste for first-team football now.

It remains to be seen what comes of our interest in the teenager, but there is no harm in us taking a punt for a player who could be one of the future stars in Europe.