Chelsea hold talks over young forward Safi

Chelsea hold talks over young forward SafiImage source, Getty ImagesByNizaar KinsellaChelsea reporterPublished2 minutes agoChelsea have held talks over the signing of forward N'Sira Safi from the Right to Dream Academy.The 17‑year‑old was called up by the Ivory Coast for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which was cancelled at short notice last month.Safi had a trial with Chelsea in the summer of 2025 and impressed manager Sonia Bompastor.No agreement has yet been reached and Right to Dream, a multi‑club organisation with a strong record of developing African talent, also has the option of placing Safi at one of its affiliated clubs after her 18th birthday. The group includes Nordsjaelland in Denmark and San Diego FC in the United States.BlueCo, which owns Chelsea and Strasbourg, has an extensive scouting network in Africa that has supported recruitment across their men's teams in England and France. They have also hired a women's sporting director, Phil Radley, who has a decade's experience at Nordsjaelland.Because of the Football Association's complex Governing Body Endorsement regulations regarding signing non-British players, recruiting young Africans into women's football in England is generally more difficult. Clubs in the United States face fewer restrictions and therefore dominate recruitment from the continent.Those same rules mean that if Safi joined Chelsea, an initial loan move may be required to aid her development while she builds the international caps needed to secure a full work permit for the reigning Women's Super League champions.The 2026 summer transfer window opens on 15 June and closes on 31 August.Related topicsChelseaFootballWomen's Football