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Demba Ba helps Chelsea sign wonderkid
Tom Weber
- Updated: 16 Jan 2026 18:01 GMT
- 4 min read
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BlueCo-owned Strasbourg are on the verge of signing Dunkerque wonderkid Gessime Yassine - with the help of former Chelsea star Demba Ba.
A Morocco youth international, Yassine is one of the biggest talents in French football. The 20-year-old was one of the standout performers in his country's triumphant U20 World Cup campaign, notching two goals and three assists on the way to the final.
Domestically, Yassine has also established himself as a potential superstar. The youngster has scored three goals and provided eight assists in 15 appearances for Ligue 2 side Dunkerque so far this term.
Yassine has been receiving interest from various top European clubs, but L'Equipe and Foot Mercato now report that BlueCo-owned Strasbourg have won the race to sign the wonderkid.
Chelsea's sister club have agreed a €7 million deal with Dunkerque, which will see Yassine sign a four-and-a-half year deal in Alsace. Intriguingly, the director of football at Dunkerque is none other than former Chelsea striker Demba Ba.
Strasbourg sign Yassine
Ba may therefore have helped Chelsea secure a potential star for the future. Should Yassine continue his spectacular career trajectory, he will surely become attractive to BlueCo's crown jewel.
In fact, he is likely being signed with a future move to Chelsea firmly in mind. Given that the Blues are well-stocked in the attack, he would have had to go out on loan had they signed him.
But with only a limited number of international loan spots available, it makes more sense for Strasbourg to acquire him. At present, they can't loan any more players from their sister club unless someone gets recalled.
However, Yassine's arrival at Strasbourg could still mean that Chelsea bring one of their loanees back. Kendry Paez, who plays in a similar role to the Moroccan, has struggled to make an impact in France.
He could be recalled and loaned to a different club. Additionally, Mamadou Sarr is also currently on loan at Strasbourg. With Liam Rosenior targeting defensive reinforcements this month, he may be inclined to bring his former protégé to Stamford Bridge sooner than expected.
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