Strasbourg agrees €7.5m Soumaila Coulibaly transfer from Dortmund

Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace have agreed to sign 21-year-old central defender Soumaila Coulibaly from Borussia Dortmund for €7.5 million plus €1 million in add-ons, with Coulibaly set to sign a five-year contract until 2030. The French defender, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Brest making 16 appearances including eight in the Champions League, previously played in Dortmund's squad but made only limited appearances. Despite initial speculation that Chelsea, which shares ownership with Strasbourg through the BlueCo consortium, might sign Coulibaly and then loan him to Strasbourg, the transfer is a direct deal between Dortmund and Strasbourg without Chelsea's involvement. The move follows Strasbourg losing defender Mamadou Sarr to Chelsea for €14 million last month, with Coulibaly poised to fill the defensive void at the Ligue 1 club. Coulibaly's career includes time in Paris Saint-Germain's youth system and loans at Standard Liege and Brest, with the latter providing his first Champions League experience. Strasbourg's acquisition of Coulibaly reflects strategic player development and transfers within clubs under BlueCo ownership while strengthening their defense.