Chelsea. Manchester United. Agents. Sponsors… even Mum and Dad. Now that he’s 18, it seems everyone wants a piece of Youssoufa Moukoko…
The birthday is important. Significant. Before turning 18 last month, Moukoko had been prevented – on his own – from penning terms with Borussia Dortmund. Any contract under 18 years of age has to be witnessed by a parent or guardian in Germany. And with Moukoko and Mum and Dad not on speaking terms, there was a confidence inside Dortmund that that was all which was preventing their prodigy from putting pen to paper.
But a month on and with a first World Cup campaign under his belt, a now 18 year-old Moukoko is still to agree anything with BVB. And with his current deal running down, it’s a situation that has alerted Chelsea and Manchester United.
In England, they’re convinced Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s president, has already acted, slapping in a €10m bid to convince BVB to sell. The American’s move kicking United into action, where Moukoko has long been in the scouting database of John Murtough, United’s technical director. Both he and manager Erik ten Hag are in agreement about the teen. And with a deal about to enter it’s final six months, United’s decision makers can spy a bargain.
Now boasting a record of being Germany’s youngest ever World Cup player, Moukoko – given current circumstances – would indeed represent a bargain. The striker reinforcing what convinced Sven Mislintat, the former Arsenal chief scout, to prise him away as an 11 year-old from St Pauli. BVB’s former talent spotter, who has just left his job as VfB Stuttgart sporting director, stating just before Qatar 2022: “His path was always mapped out. We all knew he would make it to the first team.”
Which for this column, was some prediction. Mislintat took Moukoko to BVB at 11 years of age. He had only been in the country for less than two years, having arrived with his family from Cameroon. Two years on from signing for Dortmund’s academy, Moukoko was a first teamer at 16.
As we say, for this column there were doubts at the time. Moukoko was an early developer. He not only towered over his peers, but also over players two, three years older than him. From the outside looking in, Moukoko was a prime candidate to being lost to the game once he found himself competing at senior level.
“In the beginning, the reports put a lot of strain on me, especially when my age was discussed,” Moukoko recently confessed. “I didn’t want to play anymore. I wanted to stop.
“Then at some point I got used to the attention, I knew I could forget everything on the pitch.”
While Moukoko’s physical development has stopped – he now stands at 1.79m – technically his game has continued to grow. The child monster we saw six years ago is now a player of genuine talent and world class potential.
“He had to go to the World Cup,” declared Bayern Munich great Lothar Matthaus, “especially after (Timo) Werner’s injury. For Moukoko, he has these same skills, this speed, he is carefree, he is confident.”
It’s a good comparison: Werner and Moukoko. Again, as a junior you were thinking more Oliver Bierhoff than Gerd Muller. But now looking at Moukoko, you can understand Matthaus’ reasoning.
But what about this family feud? Dad Joseph and Mum Marie haven’t had direct contact with their son for some time. Indeed, Youssoufa has stopped financially supporting his parents, which led to the family home being auctioned off just days before his 18th.
At the centre of the row is Moukoko’s advisor, Patrick Williams, who Joseph has accused of being money obsessed and driving a wedge between son and family. But it must be said, there is an incredible loyalty between Moukoko and Williams. The striker has fielded aggressive approaches from multi-nationals Stellar and Unique Sports to cut ties with Williams and go with them. But promises of multi-million euro endorsement deals and bank-busting player contracts have been shunned. Moukoko is happy as things stand and confident in the career path Williams has shaped him.
And that path, for now, appears set to lead him away from Borussia Dortmund. For the moment, their offer of €95,000-a-week falls well short of the €135,000-a-week Williams is now touting. Whether Chelsea or United are prepared to go that far is another matter. But there is an admission inside Dortmund that it’s not only external influences which are making him hesitate.
Matthias Sammer, who acts as an advisor to BVB, concedes: “He is still very young and we could have signaled more to him as a club in the past that he can be an important factor in the team.
“On the other hand, it makes no sense that he flirt with a change. There should be mutual appreciation.
“Players and clubs can make mistakes, now both have to remember.”
Whether that’ll be enough to convince Moukoko, time will tell. Though with barely a fortnight before the winter market swings open – the clock is ticking.
What we can be sure of is whatever Moukoko decides, his chosen club will be getting the real thing. A Germany World Cup record breaker. A leader of the line at Borussia Dortmund. And all achieved barely weeks into his 18th year. Is it any wonder so many want a piece of Youssoufa Moukoko?
