Chelsea Seal Pre-Agreement for Emanuel Emegha Arrival in 2026

Chelsea have reached a pre-contract agreement to sign striker Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg in the summer of 2026. The 22-year-old Dutch forward will remain with Strasbourg for another season before moving to the Premier League on a long-term contract.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea have finalized early terms to bring Emanuel Emegha to Stamford Bridge in 2026. The club has acted quickly due to strong interest in Emegha from several Premier League and Champions League sides. Emegha, who has scored 14 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season, is the current captain of Strasbourg and has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young attackers in France. He will spend the 2025-26 season leading Strasbourg in their European campaign before joining Chelsea on a seven-year contract. Thanks to the ownership link between Chelsea and Strasbourg, the move was made possible at a reported fee of around €25 million, well below his expected market value if he continues to develop at his current rate.

CONTEXT: TEAM AND PLAYER PERFORMANCES

Last season, Strasbourg surprised many by finishing 7th in Ligue 1 and have qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League, which they aim to do better in next season. Emegha played a crucial role, ending as Lyon’s joint top scorer in the league and providing three assists. His physical presence at 6ft 4in, combined with his speed and movement, have made him a nightmare for defenders. Chelsea, meanwhile, finished fourth in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca and secured a return to the UEFA Champions League for the 2025-26 season. Their top scorer, Nicolas Jackson, netted 16 goals, but Chelsea’s decision-makers believe Emegha’s potential and versatility will give the attack even more options in the years following his arrival.

LOOKING AHEAD: WHAT NEXT FOR CLUB AND PLAYER?

For the 2025-26 campaign, Emegha will stay at Strasbourg as they fight to make an impact in Europe. His leadership will be vital as the team look to improve upon last season’s league finish and progress in the Conference League. Chelsea will monitor his development closely, hoping that a strong year in France’s top flight and in Europe will help him adjust to the physical demands of the Premier League. When Emegha finally joins Chelsea in July 2026, he will compete for minutes alongside Joao Pedro and Liam Delap. Chelsea’s immediate next match is against Brentford at Stamford Bridge, while Strasbourg, having earned a spot in the Europa Conference League, will kick off their group stage after facing Le Havre and Paris FC for the Ligue 1.