Chelsea have confirmed a pre-agreement to sign striker Emanuel Emegha from their partner club, Strasbourg, in 2026.
The 22-year-old striker has chosen to remain at the French Ligue 1 side, which—like Chelsea—is owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, for another season. He will then move to west London on a seven-year deal.
Sources report that the Netherlands Under-21 international turned down interest from other Premier League and Champions League clubs, having already agreed to join Stamford Bridge ahead of next season. Emegha’s upcoming transfer is believed to be a factor in Chelsea deciding not to sign a replacement for the injured Liam Delap on transfer deadline day. Manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed Delap is expected to be sidelined for 10 to 12 weeks.
Emegha currently captains Strasbourg and is leading the club into their first European campaign since 2020 via the Conference League. With 23 goals in 57 league appearances, he is one of Strasbourg’s most influential players under English manager Liam Rosenior.
The transfer underscores the close ties between Chelsea and Strasbourg. Strasbourg was acquired by multi-club group BlueCo in 2023 for £65 million. Over the summer, six moves occurred between the two clubs, including defender Ben Chilwell’s transfer to Strasbourg. Chelsea also sent young talents Mike Penders and Kendry Paez on loan, and completed the £11.8 million permanent signing of Mamadou Sarr, who returned to Strasbourg on loan after the Club World Cup.
Additionally, Strasbourg secured Chelsea academy defender Ishe Samuels-Smith for £6.5 million and midfielder Mathis Amougou for around £12 million. However, Samuels-Smith, 19, returned to Chelsea a month after the move and will immediately go on a season-long loan to Championship side Swansea City. This decision followed several developments affecting his playing opportunities, including Chilwell’s arrival and a contract renewal for defender Ismael Doukoure, who had previously been sidelined at Strasbourg. The £6.5 million fee was refunded, in a situation reminiscent of Tyler Dibling’s 2022 return from Chelsea to Southampton due to “homesickness.”
FIFA rules restrict clubs from loaning more than three players to the same club in one season, which meant Chilwell’s transfer had to be permanent. Chelsea has already used three of their six international loan slots with Strasbourg. Nonetheless, there is no regulation preventing Chelsea from selling players to Strasbourg, provided the fee reflects fair market value.
Last year, Manchester City and Manchester United were allowed to compete in European competitions despite multi-club ownership ties with Girona and Nice, after agreeing not to transfer players permanently or on loan from July 2024 to September 2025. That restriction has now ended with the closure of the transfer window.
