Exclusive: Arsenal and Chelsea set sights on one of the most highly-rated young midfielders in English football
09/13/2024 12:15 PM
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Both Arsenal and Chelsea had fruitful summers on the transfer front, making a host of signings for the present and future.
The Gunners signed Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Neto and Raheem Sterling this summer, the latter joining on loan from Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the Blues brought in 11 new players, including Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Though the English transfer window has now shut, top clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea are already looking at potential new recruits for when the market reopens.
Graeme Bailey has now revealed that the Gunners and the Blues have set their sights on a “terrific” teenage midfielder deemed one of English football’s top youngsters.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in Souleymane Sidibe race
TBR Football understands a host of Premier League clubs are looking closely at Stoke City youngster Souleymane Sidibe.
The 17-year-old, the son of former Stoke striker Mamady, made his debut last season for the Potters first-team.
Unlike his father, Souleymane is not a striker but a central midfielder.
The Paris-born teenager is also an England youth international featuring for the Under-18s and he is now firmly on the radar of a host of clubs.
TBR can reveal that Midlands rivals Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers are amongst those keen.
We can also reveal that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are amongst those to have watched Sidibe this year.
READ MORE:Cesc Fabregas on whether Ethan Nwaneri is ready to start for Arsenal at Tottenham
Who is Souleymane Sidibe?
Souleymane Sidibe (aka Sol Sidibe) is a 17-year-old midfielder who is already playing first-team football for Championship side Stoke City.
He has made 11 competitive appearances for the Potters, including three this year – one in the league and two in the League Cup.
Sidibe made his first-team debut against Rotherham in August 2023, becoming the club's third youngest player of all time at just 16 years and 176 days old.
Four days later, the box-to-box midfielder received his first senior start in the League Cup win over West Bromwich Albion.
After the game, Alex Neil told BBC Radio Stoke: "I thought his performance justified why he’s been with the first team all pre-season and why I played him in the game.
"I had no concerns over him. He’s a terrific talent but he’s also really mature, for being so young.
"He did exactly as I expected him to do – he did wonderfully well and he’s played in a Stoke team that won the game, and played the majority of the match.
"I think when you’re 16 years old, most players of that age could only dream of doing something like that."
Football Transfers have described Sidibe as ‘one of the most highly-rated young midfielders in English football’.
