Chelsea’s wonderkid obsession hits new heights with ‘XXL bid’

Chelsea have become known for their desire to pick up and develop young players since being taken over by BlueCo in 2022, but this project hit a new high in the summer as they launched what has been described as an “XXL bid” for a 17-year-old.

The Blues are reported to have made an offer of €8 million for Toulouse midfielder Alexis Vossah, a teenager who has not even started a single game for the Ligue 1 side and has played only 49 total minutes for the first team.

A member of the France U18 squad, Vossah hit the headlines in France when he scored his first professional goal in a stunning 6-3 loss to PSG prior to the international break, yet he has long been highly regarded in Toulouse, where he is considered one of the biggest prospects of a strong academy.

Le10Sport reports that Chelsea offered TFC €8m for the youngster, who could not complete a transfer to West London until next summer, by which time he will be 18.

It is claimed that this offer was “immediately rejected” by the French club, where Vossah will sign his first professional deal.

Vossah just one of many talents in the Toulouse academy

Chelsea’s interest in Vossah is just the latest confirmation that the academy at Toulouse is producing high-quality talent.

Dayann Methalie, for example, has been nominated as Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Month alongside Lens’ Rayan Fofana and Khalis Merah of Lyon.

Toulouse also completed one blockbuster Premier League transfer this summer, having sold another of their youth products in the form of Jaydee Canvot to Crystal Palace for €23m. The 18-year-old centre-back enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough campaign in 2024/25 and had started both of Les Violets’ first two Ligue 1 matches of the season.

It is likely that Toulouse will be targeting this type of fee when they do eventually sell Vossah, who is a player sure to remain of interest at Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future.

Chelsea were likely trying to steal a march on their rivals by securing his signature now to sign permanently next summer. Having been knocked back, they will have to return to Toulouse with a bigger offer if they really want to sign Vossah.

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