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Confirmed: 'Next Kylian Mbappe' makes FINAL Chelsea transfer decision
Cameron Smith
- 12 Sept 2025 09:00 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea lodged a last-minute approach for AS Monaco wonderkid Eliesse Ben Seghir during the final few days of the summer transfer window, according to a bombshell report in France.
Enzo Maresca’s side were desperate to sign an adequate back-up to Cole Palmer throughout the summer and they eventually settled on bringing in Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion after missing out on Xavi Simons to Tottenham Hotspur.
Current ETV
Eliesse Ben Seghir
F (L), M (CL)
Eliesse Ben Seghir
F (L), M (CL)
Bayer 04
ETV Range
€23.1M - €28.3M
However, the Blues were also interested in landing Ben Seghir and they approached Monaco regarding a possible late transfer in an attempt to hijack Bayer Leverkusen’s deal for the 20-year-old.
That is according to French outlet Foot Mercato, who claim that Ben Seghir weighed up a potential move to Chelsea before deciding to snub the west London giants in favour of joining Leverkusen.
The Morocco international eventually completed a €32 million transfer to the BayArena on the penultimate day of the summer transfer window, becoming Leverkusen’s third-most expensive signing of all time in the process, and he could make his debut for the club against Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday evening.
"Eliesse Ben Seghir"
Retenez bien ce nom 😉 pic.twitter.com/9nrc3drs65— Ligue 1 McDonald's (@Ligue1) December 30, 2022
Eliesse Ben Seghir rejects Chelsea
Ben Seghir, who is capable of playing as a left winger, an attacking midfielder or a centre forward, registered 15 goals and eight assists in 85 first-team appearances for Monaco.
He notably scored a brace on his Ligue 1 debut for the club at just 17 years old, helping them to a 3-2 victory over Auxerre, and he was subsequently dubbed ‘the next Kylian Mbappe’ as a result.
However, he only started 19 league matches last season, with a further 14 appearances as a substitute, amid competition for places at Monaco.
In addition to Ben Seghir, Chelsea were also interested in signing Barcelona superstar Fermin Lopez and the aforementioned Simons this summer, before deciding to agree a season-long loan deal for Buonanotte.
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