Chelsea's new signing Mathis Amougou is likely to join Strasbourg next summer.
The 19-year-old midfielder joined on deadline day in a £12m move from St Etienne and will initially serve as part of Enzo Maresca's squad.
Chelsea need the cover in midfield for Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez after letting Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka leave in January.
It will allow Amougou to develop around the quality of talent at the Premier League club and acclimatise to life in England.
But a return to France with partner club Strasbourg, which shares the same BlueCo ownership, is also on the cards to continue giving him the minutes he needs to develop longer term.