Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko has hit back at reports claiming he has turned down a lucrative contract in Germany. The 18-year-old's current deal expires next summer and a host of top clubs are chasing his signature in the hope of securing a top young talent for free.
Moukoko was part of Germany's World Cup squad over the past month but only got one small appearance off the bench in the final group game as Hansi Flick's side were knocked out before the last-16. During his time in Qatar, it emerged that Chelsea were amongst the pack chasing to sign him.
He can negotiate a pre-contract with clubs next month as he enters the final half a year on his deal, but Dortmund are unsurprisingly keen on tying him down for longer. With an exceptional youth record and six goals in 14 league matches already at senior level this season, Moukoko is one of the rising gems in European football.
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Todd Boehly is set on recruiting as many players in this category as possible and may well be impressed with his attitude too. Moukoko has remained defiant as reports circle regarding his future and he took to Instagram to voice his displeasure.
“I know that this is all part of the football business by now, but even though I’m still young, I won’t let myself be pressured in my decision about my future,” he wrote. “I will never accept such a lie about me. It’s really sad that you can bring something like this into the world nowadays so that you (fans) have a false image of me.
“Very, very sad, because I’m still shocked by the report.”
It comes after German publication Bild reported he had turned down a €6m (£5.2m) per year contract offer from his boyhood club in demand of €7m (£6.1m). This works out at a £16,000 per week difference in wages.
Moukoko is currently two years into his first-ever senior deal, signed aged 16 in 2020, and will be due a major pay increase regardless of his next choice due to his standing in the world game.
His agent, Patrick Williams, has already told Sky Germany that such stories weren't true, saying, "I can confirm that we are not about to conclude a contract extension with Borussia Dortmund. I can also assure you that the numbers that are circulating are simply not correct and Youssoufa was never offered that much. But we are still in contact with Dortmund and will see what the next few days bring.
"A player like Youssoufa is interesting for every top club in the world. Especially when he is free and has a future in the German national team."
Chelsea have already shown a desire to sign teenagers, moving to complete a deal for David Datro Fofana, 19, whilst agreeing a price of £13m for Brazilian Andrey Santos, 18. Boehly also spent over £50m on teenagers in the summer and is setting about adding some of the best young players around to the team at Chelsea over the coming windows.
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