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Chelsea have reportedly put up a €8 million bid for AS Saint-Etienne striker Djylian N’Guessan, an Arsenal and Brentford target. The Frenchman has come up through the ranks at the club.
N’Guessan, 17, made his first-team debut for Saint-Etienne this season and has scored once in two outings across competitions. That lone strike came in a 3-1 win at Quetigny in the Coupe de France.
Despite being contracted to the Ligue 2 side till 2027, N’Guessan has attracted attention from the Premier League. As per L'Equipe (via Sport Witness), the Gunners, Blues and Brentford are interested in his services.
With the player yet to sign an extension, he could be on the move this winter when the transfer window reopens. The Blues are said to have submitted an initial bid of €8 million for the striker, but Les Verts have rejected it, as they want €4.5 million more.
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It's pertinent to note that even if the Blues snap up the France U20 international with an improved offer, N’Guessan cannot move to the Premier League before he turns 18 in August.
N’Guessan featured for France at the U20 World Cup, where Les Bleus lost on penalties in the semi-finals to Morocco following the striker's miss from the spot, sealing a 5-4 defeat after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
What's next for Chelsea and Arsenal?
Both Arsenal and Chelsea have made good starts to the season, especially im the Premier League, where the Gunners (36) are two points clear at the top after 16 games, while the Blues are fourth, eight points adrift
Mikel Arteta's Gunners bounced back from a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers by the same margin at home last weekend. They next travel to Everton in the league on Saturday (December 20) before hosting Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-finals three days later.
Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca's Chelsea built on their 2-0 Premier League home defeat of Everton at the weekend with a 3-1 midweek win at Cardiff City in the EFL Cup last eight. They next play Newcastle United away in the league on Saturday.
