Strasbourg face fight to keep hold of academy gem | OneFootball

According to Foot Mercato, RC Strasbourg Alsace could face a struggle to keep hold of one of the gems from their academy, as Willsem Boussaid (18) attracts interest from across France and Europe.

Strasbourg has neither the reputation nor the evidence to suggest that it has one of the best academies in France. Only two players who developed within its youth system currently play in the first team, with Marvin Senaya (23) and Habib Diarra (20), being the lone representatives.

This has been an area that the investment from the club’s new owners BlueCo has wanted to develop as part of their focus on placing youth at the front and centre of the club’s operations. The signing of Boussaid on a professional contract would be a key sign that Strasbourg could become a place for talent to grow.

Boussaid has sparkled in the under-age brackets for Le Racing which earned him a national call-up to the French under-16s and under-17s. His progress in Strasbourg’s under-19s this season makes the club increasingly keen to secure his future.

However, at least three Ligue 1 clubs, as well as teams in Italy and Germany could complicate matters for Boussaid’s training club. The winger is said to be happy at Strasbourg but in a new era at the club will he trust his development with the side?

GFFN | Nick Hartland