CHELSEA transfer target Youcef Atal has been ruled out for “a long time” following a serious knee injury he picked up on Saturday.
The talented full-back was withdrawn on a stretcher on 28 minutes in Nice’s 4-1 win over Metz.
Youcef Atal was stretchered off and will need an operationCredit: Getty – Contributor
Atal was sent for scans and the club’s worst fears were realised after it was revealed he will need to undergo an operation.
Nice tweeted: “Bad news for Youcef Atal and Les Aiglons. Forced to go off half an hour into the game against Metz this Saturday, the Algerian international has undergone additional examinations.
“The diagnosis revealed a meniscal lesion in the right knee. The 23-year-old, who will be operated on soon, will, unfortunately, be out of action for a long time.
“OGC Nice wishes him a speedy recovery.”
The news will also come as a blow to Chelsea who were watching his progress closely.
Boss Frank Lampard is hoping to add a defender to his squad in January after their transfer ban was overturned.
Atal was believed to be one of the names on the shortlist alongside Leicester’s Ben Chilwell and Valencia star Jose Gaya.
But the boss will now need to turn his attentions elsewhere following the latest news.
The full-back had previously admitted that he was looking for a big move after revealing that clubs were after him in the summer.
He said: “Yes, there are clubs that wanted me at that time.
“Last year it was too early [for a departure]. And even today, I’m focusing on another great season.
“I can play in a big club, that’s part of my goals. I work for that. There is not a player who will tell you that he would not like to play for a big club.”
Atal was a serious transfer target for Chelsea in JanuaryCredit: Getty – Contributor
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
