Chelsea step up interest in Rayane Messi after Barcelona enquiry

Chelsea are ready to accelerate their interest in Rayane Messi, who plays for RC Strasbourg, amid interest from European clubs like Barcelona.

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are eager to accelerate a move for Rayane Messi ahead of the summer, hoping to sign him from sister club RC Strasbourg. The promising teenage winger is attracting massive attention in the market from top clubs, including Barcelona, who have enquired, as the Blues are eager to secure his future for the long term.

Chelsea have continued to scout some of the best young profiles in world football in a bid to bring them into their system. The club, under the current ownership, have been rather aggressive over the last few years in securing these talents and developing them either at their club or at sister club RC Strasbourg.

Strasbourg’s contribution to this project at Chelsea should not be underrated, as the French side have been helping them bridge certain holes, and taken a host of their talents to develop into first-team stars. The two clubs are once again linked with a common player, with Rayane Messi, the 18-year-old French attacking sensation, in the spotlight.

Messi belongs to Strasbourg, who have taken steady steps in aiding his long-term development, which has involved a few loan spells away from the club. The teenager is currently with Saudi Pro League side Neom SC on a six-month spell and is set to return in the summer.

Chelsea are eager to tie up a move to secure his future at the club, with the winger seen as someone who could flourish in the near future, and the Blues are not keen to lose him from their system. The 18-year-old French attacking sensation’s performances and developmental arc have seen a lot of top teams making soft enquiries, including Barcelona, as Chelsea do not want to lose their edge on the player.

What are Chelsea’s plans for Rayane Messi?

The idea of joining a team like Barcelona entering the frame for the teenager will entice Messi into considering a switch. He might also be tempted to emulate his namesake, Lionel Messi, in Catalonia, which will have a romantic and dramatic appeal to the whole idea. However, Chelsea are now ready to accelerate their pursuit and keep the player within the BlueCo system.

It could be a case that Chelsea might sign him permanently from Strasbourg and offer the teenager an important contract that would trump the other suitors. As for his immediate future, the Blues could let him stay at Strasbourg on loan for next season to aid his development into a key first-team performer, and then evaluate the next steps that could also see him become a part of the Stamford Bridge first team.