FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Gael Kakuta is set to become football’s new Prince of Persia… by joining a club in IRAN.
The Blues landed a fine and transfer ban when signing the French-born winger from Lens in 2007.
Once dubbed the most gifted player of his generation, he spent eight years at Stamford Bridge.
Kakuta, 33, also had loan spells with Fulham and Bolton.
The DR Congo international is under contract with French Ligue 2 side Amiens until 2026.
But Kakuta is now reportedly poised to sign a two-year deal with top Iranian club Esteghlal.
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They have opened talks with the Lille-born ace, and he is thought keen to swap his third spell with modest Amiens for a move to Tehran.
Football is hugely popular in Iran, with the national team regularly qualifying for World Cup finals.
Esteghlal finished runners-up in the Persian Pro League last season, and have been national champions nine times.
Nicknamed the Blue Boys, they play at the 78,000-capacity Azadi Stadium.
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Chelsea pre-season tour squad and notable absentees
Goalkeepers:
Robert Sanchez
Marcus Bettinelli
Eddie Beach
Lucas Bergstrom
Defenders:
Reece James
Malo Gusto
Josh Acheampong
Wesley Fofana
Axel Disasi
Tosin Adarabioyo
Benoit Badiashile
Levi Colwill
Ben Chilwell
Renato Veiga
Midfielders:
Carney Chukwuemeka
Romeo Lavia
Lesley Ugochukwu
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Andrey Santos
Forwards:
Nicolas Jackson
Christopher Nkunku
Raheem Sterling
Mykhailo Mudryk
Noni Madueke
Armando Broja
Tyrique George
Marc Guiu
Angelo
Notable absentees:
(Internationals)
Cole Palmer
Conor Gallagher
Enzo Fernandez
Marc Cucurella
(Left out ahead of possible loan/sale)
Romelu Lukaku
Omari Kellyman
Alfie Gilchrist
Bashir Humphreys
Cesare Casadei
David Datro Fofana
Deivid Washington
Djordje Petrovic
Esteghal would be the THIRTEENTH different club of Kakuta’s nomadic career.
The 73-cap France youth international has played in Holland, Italy, Spain and China as well as his birth country and England.
He made 16 senior Chelsea appearances, and also played handfuls of top-flight games for Fulham and Bolton.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
