Chelsea have launched a bid for Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko.

Moukoko, 18, is one of the hottest young talents in Europe having impressed since making his first team breakthrough at the age of just 16 at Dortmund in 2020.

He has since scored 11 times in 59 appearances for the German giants, while he also featured for Germany once in their dismal World Cup campaign in Qatar as Hansi Flick's side crashed out in the group stage.

The forward has just six months remaining on his deal at Signal Iduna Park and Sportsmail has previously reported that Graham Potter's side are keen on the wonderkid.

Sport says Chelsea have launched a bid to sign Moukoko in January in order to beat off competition from several other clubs when he could become a free agent in the summer.

The report states Barcelona were keen on acquiring the forward for free in the summer, but Chelsea's willingness to pay a transfer fee has impacted their hopes of acquiring the 18-year-old, with the Catalan side still needing to satisfy various LaLiga Financial Fair Play measures.

The Blues offer is in the region of £8.6m despite the fact they could pick him up as a free agent in the summer - but Barcelona's financial situation mean they are unable to make a similar move.