FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Gael Kakuta is set to become football’s new Prince of Persia… by joining an IRAN club.
The Blues were fined and banned from transfers after signing the French winger from Lens in 2007.
Once considered the most talented player of his generation, he spent eight years at Stamford Bridge.
Kakuta, 33, was also loaned to Fulham and Bolton.
The Democratic Republic of Congo international has a contract with French Ligue 2 side Amiens until 2026.
But Kakuta is now on the verge of signing a two-year contract with top Iranian club Esteghlal.
They have begun negotiations with the Lille-born playmaker, and he is interested in swapping his third spell at lowly Amiens for a move to Tehran.
Football is very popular in Iran, with the national team regularly qualifying for the final stages of the World Cup.
Esteghlal finished runners-up in the Persian Professional 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 squad and notable absences
Goalkeepers:
Roberto Sanches
Marco 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
Advanced:
Nicolas Jackson
Christopher Nkunku
Raheem Sterling
Mykhailo Mudryk
Noni Madueke
Armando Broja
Tyrique George
Marc Guiu
Angelo
Notable absences:
(International)
Cole Palmer
Conor Gallagher
Enzo Fernández
Marc Cucurella
(Left out before possible loan/sale)
Romelu Lukaku
Omari Kellyman
Alfie Gilchrist
Bashir Humphreys
Caesar Casadei
David Datro Fofana
David Washington
Djordje Petrovic
Esteghal would be the THIRTEENTH different club from Kakuta’s nomadic career.
The 73-cap French youth international has played in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and China, as well as in his home country and England.
He made 16 senior appearances for Chelsea and also played several top-flight games for Fulham and Bolton.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
