According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are keen to close a deal with Borussia Dortmund for the signing of defender Soumaila Koulibaly. The plan thereafter would see the defender join Strasbourg on loan for the whole season to help him gain further experience after a mixed season on loan with Brest the last time out.
Chelsea are utilising the idea of having another club within the same ownership group in the best possible manner. Since the BlueCo group took charge of both clubs, business dealings involving players between the two sides have been a common sight.
This summer itself, Chelsea agreed on a deal for defender Mamadou Sarr, who was a key star for Strasbourg last season. The Blues are already working to send January signing Mathis Amougou to the French side on loan, while they are also working to sign a defender that would help the Ligue 1 club cover the void left by Sarr.
Hence, Chelsea are in discussions with Borussia Dortmund over a deal for Soumaila Coulibaly. The 21-year-old defensive prospect spent last season on loan with Brest, and he did have a mixed campaign.
The reason for that is his lack of games in Ligue 1, but he did play eight times in the UEFA Champions League for the French side. Chelsea do not view him for their first-team plans and in fact, will send him on loan to Strasbourg as soon as they agree to bring him from Borussia Dortmund.
As things stand, Fabrizio Romano has reported that RC Strasbourg have signed Coulibaly on a permanent deal worth €7.5 million in fixed fees and €1 million in add-ons. It appears the French side have signed him on their own accord and this is not a Chelsea signing.
It could be a case of loan deals between two clubs and the limitations to that. Hence, there might be a chance that another player from Chelsea might move into the picture to sign for Strasbourg on loan this summer, as the 21-year-old defensive prospect Soumaila Coulibaly now appears to be a permanent signing for the French side.
