Borussia Dortmund are struggling to reach an agreement with Yusufah Mokoku over a new contract, and 90 Minutes sources believe he is more likely to leave the club this summer.
The Bundesliga giants are in contract extension talks with Mokoko, who came through the youth system at Signal Adona Park after joining as an 11-year-old, with the hope of tying him down long-term.
But talks are not progressing as Dortmund would like, and as it stands Mokoko is free to leave the club this summer when his current contract expires.
Sources believe the teenage forward wants a contract at Dortmund worth just shy of €200,000-a-week, which would make him one of the club’s top earners. However, Dortmund have offered just over €100,000-a-week, which is similar to the deal given to summer signing and fellow Germany international Karim Ademi.
Mokoko’s representatives are also asking for a reasonable release clause to allow him to leave in the future – something Dortmund did in the past for Erling Holland and could do again for Judd Bellingham – and while he While the idea has not been ruled out, the two parties are no closer to agreeing on a number.
Dortmund’s inability to find a deal with Mokoko means a departure looks increasingly likely – 90 Minutes in November revealed that interested parties were already convinced he could be lured away.
Both Chelsea and Newcastle have held talks with Mokoko’s representatives in 2023, while Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United have also asked to be kept abreast of developments.
Moukoko’s wage demands are unlikely to be a problem for the Premier League’s top brass – they will also be able to offer a substantial signing fee – but 90min understands there is also significant interest from across the continent, namely from Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are still struggling financially but the chance to land one of Europe’s biggest youngsters without paying a transfer fee is something they are approaching – Mokoko prefers a move to the Camp Nou. Also thought about.
Atletico Madrid and Napoli have also held talks, while Bayern Munich, who have a history of signing players away from rivals Dortmund, are interested in keeping Mokoko in Germany.