Fabrizio Romano CONFIRMS Chelsea agreement with ‘fantastic’ striker

Chelsea have agreed a seven-year contract with Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha, who will officially join the club next July.

The Blues finalised an agreement to sign the Netherlands international in September, with the deal being delayed until the 2026 summer transfer window in order to ensure he remains at Strasbourg for the entirety of the current campaign.

Emegha has suffered with hamstring issues so far this term, but he returned to full fitness in early November and he notched Strasbourg’s equaliser during their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening.

After the match, Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior admitted to reporters: “He has been fantastic for me. He’s still very young himself. He causes problems for defenders with his energy, running and pressing.”

The Dutchman has now registered seven goals and two assists in just 643 minutes of action across all competitions so far this term and he is expected to compete with Liam Delap, Marc Guiu and Joao Pedro for a starting berth when he arrives at Chelsea next season.

Emegha was wanted by the likes of AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur before Chelsea swooped for his signature, and football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has now clarified the Blues’ plan for the Netherlands centre forward.

“Emanuel Emegha’s contract at Chelsea from 2026 will run for the next seven years,” he posted on X.

“Plan already clear for the striker who keeps shining at Strasbourg, leading the team in France and Europe… with next chapter at Chelsea.”

Emanuel Emegha transfer analysis

Following Emegha’s performance during Strasbourg’s victory over Crystal Palace on Thursday, former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger was keen to praise Chelsea’s decision to sign him.

“It’s a system that works with Chelsea. BlueCo being also the owners of Strasbourg, that works,” he told TNT Sports.

“So you have young talents, if they’re not ready for the Premier League yet, you send them to Strasbourg as they’re doing. They see these top players in the French Ligue 1, and then they get early access to them. Emegha is just the next one they bring in.

“He’s got enough experience in Ligue 1, a very good level. We’ve seen he’s part of a very good team, and he’s going to move on. Hopefully for him, he’s doing great things for Chelsea next season onwards.”

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