Chelsea are now said to be leading the race to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko. 

What’s the word?

That is according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, who understands that the Blues rank as the “front runners” to secure his signature in January. 

Whilst the journalist believes that Dortmund are desperate to keep hold of the promising attacker, he feels that Moukoko would fit Chelsea’s “mould perfectly.”

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs said: “Chelsea are the frontrunners at the moment and he fits their mould absolutely perfectly.

“I think that is why they’re very seriously entertaining that particular signing and we know from Moukoko’s agent that he hasn’t yet and isn’t close to signing a new deal at Dortmund.

“This is a very interesting scenario because, from Dortmund’s point of view, they’ll want him to sign in January and that will rule out a January move.”

Best of both

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly introduced the top-talents strategy in the summer window, and there is no doubt that Moukoko would fit seamlessly into that model. 

But, having finally pushed himself through the ranks as a starter for the Bundesliga side, he will surely not want to fall back in the pecking order.

Whether Chelsea could guarantee him regular minutes as the frontman in the side is a difficult question to answer, even with the season-ending injury blow to Armando Broja in mind.

This is why the Blues should look to flex their muscle in the window and sign the star permanently in January, to loan him back for the rest of the season – with a view to loaning him out at Dortmund once more in the season after.

By then, Germany’s youngest-ever World Cup star Moukoko could be a genuine World-beater, having already gathered a respectable haul of six goals and three assists from 14 Bundesliga appearances – starting eight of those games.

With Boehly’s ambition ever present at the club since he took over in the summer, you would not put it past him to move for £26million Moukoko whose contract expires at the end of the season.