Ivorian defender Ismaël Doukouré has been dropped from Strasbourg’s senior squad and ordered to train with the reserves after refusing to extend his contract, according to L’Équipe.
The 22-year-old centre-back is in the final months of the four-year deal he signed upon joining from Valenciennes. A key figure for Strasbourg, Doukouré featured in all but three Ligue 1 matches last season as the club came close to securing a Europa League spot.
However, the club’s hierarchy led by owners BlueCo has opted to sideline him in a bid to push through a new deal.
Doukouré, who is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, previously tried to force a move to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg last summer, but that transfer was blocked.
The defender has already rejected Strasbourg’s latest renewal offer, while reported talks with Chelsea have so far failed to produce an agreement.
