Chelsea, AC Milan, and Rangers eye Stoke City midfielder in transfer bid

The teenager is gaining interest following a standout debut season.

Stoke City might struggle to keep hold of young midfielder Sol Sidibe during the upcoming summer transfer window.

According to The Daily Mail, several top-tier clubs have already shown interest in the 17-year-old. Sidibe, the son of former Stoke striker Mamady Sidibe, who made 186 appearances for the Potters from 2005 to 2013, has caught the eye after coming through the club’s youth system. He made his debut for Stoke in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, becoming their third-youngest player ever, and has since made eight first-team appearances.

Sidibe’s impressive performances have not gone unnoticed. Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on him, along with Serie A’s AC Milan and Scottish giants Rangers. Additionally, Sidibe has been capped at Under-17 level by England and is eligible to represent France, Senegal, and Mali, which has further piqued the interest of European clubs.

With just over a year remaining on his contract, which extends until the end of the 2024/25 season, Stoke City faces a potential dilemma. They finished 17th in the Championship this season, narrowly avoiding relegation, and are preparing for another campaign in the second tier under Steven Schumacher.

The reported interest in Sidibe is a concern for Stoke, given his familial ties to the club and his potential as a future asset. However, with the financial muscle of clubs like Chelsea, it may be challenging for the Potters to retain him. Sidibe, too, faces a significant decision: a move to a higher-tier club could hinder his chances of immediate regular first-team football. Both Sidibe and Stoke will need to carefully consider any offers that come their way in the coming months.