Fabrizio Romano confirms Chelsea 'pre-agreement' transfer plan for wonderkid striker

Suraj Radia

27 May 2025 00:45 CDT
5 min read

Enzo Maresca, Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea are aiming to take advantage of their links with affiliate club Strasbourg and seal a pre-contract agreement to sign striker Emanuel Emegha in 2026, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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The Blues are expected to push to sign a striker this summer, having already held talks with Ipswich’s Liam Delap, but a future move for Emegha could be in the pipeline, with Chelsea maintaining a long-term interest in the 22-year-old after reportedly presenting him a 'career plan' in transfer talks last month.

Emegha joined Strasbourg in 2023 for €13 million and the Dutchman has enjoyed the best season of his career so far, netting 14 goals in 27 appearances in Ligue 1.

Current ETV

Emanuel Emegha

F (C)

Strasbourg

Emanuel Emegha

F (C)

Strasbourg

ETV Range

€21.9M - €26.8M

With Strasbourg having qualified for the Europa Conference League next season, Romano has revealed that there is ‘no chance’ of Emegha leaving French side this summer.

However, Chelsea are said to ‘like’ Emegha ‘as a possible option for the future’ and the club’s partnership with Strasbourg should allow for an easy resolution should the Blues’ interest progress.

Delap, meanwhile, will decide his future imminently after holding talks with Manchester United, Everton and Newcastle as well as Chelsea, while Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has also been considered as an alternative option this summer.

Chelsea make use of familiar trick to pull off Emegha signing

Emegha has impressed under Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior this season, with the 6 foot 5 inch man able to dominate with his size as well as with the ball at his feet.

© IMAGO - Emanuel Emegha has been in good form for Strasbourg this season.

Chelsea have often utilised pre-contract deals to sign young players for a cut-price before rivals can intervene, with selling clubs incentivised to make a deal that would allow them to keep hold of their star talents for an additional season.

The Blues have already made such a deal to sign Sporting’s Geovany Quenda in 2026, while South American youngsters Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian will move to Stamford Bridge this summer having agreed their transfers more than a year ago.

Chelsea are seeking a high-quality alternative to Nicolas Jackson up front and a deal for Emegha, combined with the addition of a striker such as Delap or Ekitike, could see Enzo Maresca’s attacking unit significantly change over the next year as they look to build on a return to Champions League football.

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