Chelsea hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League were dealt a huge blow as they lost 1-0 against Newcastle United on Saturday.
England international Anthony Gordon gave the visitors an early lead at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues were unable to find an equaliser.
The defeat leaves Chelsea fifth, however Liverpool will leapfrog them if they can avoid defeat against struggling Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
In the meantime, it has emerged that Chelsea are contemplating a move to sign a talented young Frenchman who is currently playing in the Middle East.
As per TEAMtalk, the Blues are one of several clubs from across Europe showing interest in French teenager Rayane Messi, who is currently on loan at Neom SC from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
The French side – who are under the same BlueCo ownership group as Chelsea – signed the player from Dijon where he had made his senior debut at the age of just 16.
Messi has been linked with a move to Chelsea (Photo: Icon Sport/Alamy)
The 18-year-old joined Strasbourg back in 2024 and has since had a loan spell at Pau FC, before joining Neom last month.
Since moving to Saudi Arabia, the forward has scored once and provided one assist in six matches for his new side, but his performances haven’t gone unnoticed.
According to the report, Chelsea are lining the teenager up for a move to Stamford Bridge in due time, with several players having moved between the two clubs in recent years.
While Chelsea may benefit from being under the same ownership as Strasbourg when it comes to the race for Messi’s signature, the report suggests that Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona have all also enquired about the teenager’s availability.
Messi’s versatility is likely to appeal to potential suitors, with the Frenchman able to operate centrally or on either flank.