Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea could be about to miss out on Youssoufa Moukoko, with the forward seemingly leaning towards a Barcelona switch.
Moukoko, who was the youngest member of Germany's 2022 World Cup squad at the age of just 18, became Borussia Dortmund's youngest ever player when he made his first-team debut one day after turning 16. The Cameroon-born star is out of contract at the end of the season and Barca are said to be aware of his desire to play for the club despite earlier suggestions a Premier League move could be on the cards.
The teenager has played a more prominent role at his club this term after the departure of Erling Haaland, and reports suggest any new deal could see a clause inserted into his contract which is similar to the one which allowed the Norwegian to join Manchester City. A January departure looks less likely, though, and this may well frustrate his potential suitors in England.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barca believe a Dortmund renewal or a move to Camp Nou in the summer are the only options being considered by the German international. An extension at Signal Iduna Park wouldn't end Barca's interest, though, especially if the youngster gets an exit clause included.
Comparisons have been made with Haaland, who left Dortmund over the summer. The Norwegian joined from Molde in 2020 and the Bundesliga side didn't stand in the way of his switch to Manchester City.
Were Moukoko to renew and then join Barca at a later date, competition for places might be less fierce. As acknowledged in Sport's report Memphis Depay is out of contract in the summer and Ferran Torres has also been linked with a departure, while Robert Lewandowski - this season's top scorer - will be out-of-contract and approaching his 36th birthday at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Moukoko only featured in one World Cup game as Germany suffered an early elimination, but interest has been building for some time. Amid Premier League links after the tournament, though, the forward insisted he would not be rushed into a decision.
"Please, do not believe everything that is in the newspaper," he said, amid reports he had rejected a new Dortmund deal. "I know that everything is part of the football business now, but although I am young, I do not let myself be pressured to make decisions about my future.
"I am fully focused on the second half of the season with Borussia Dortmund. No player is bigger than the club."
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The player's agent, Patrick Williams, had earlier confirmed Moukoko had yet to agree new terms. His comments put English clubs on red alert, but it appears they will be left disappointed.
"I can confirm that we are not about to conclude a contract extension with Borussia Dortmund," Williams told Sky Germany in mid-December. "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."
