Chelsea have three strikers on their “shortlist” ahead of the summer transfer window, according to RMC Sports reporter Fabrice Hawkins.
The French journalist, who has been the first to reveal several Chelsea transfers (including Wesley Fofana’s), claims that Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are all under consideration to strengthen to forward line.
Ekitike is said to be “high” on the list of options, but Frankfurt are holding out for as much as €100m (£84.3m) for the 22-year-old.
The forward has been in great form this campaign, scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances, but he has only made his breakthrough this season so spending so much on him would be a major risk. There is also believed to be strong interest in the player from both Arsenal and Liverpool.
Sesko and Osimhen won’t be cheap deals either
While Ekitike will be expensive, the two alternatives being considered are likely to cost almost as much.
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Sesko is believed to have a release clause worth €80m (£67.5m) while Osimhen would be the cheapest in terms of his transfer fee (€75m/£63.2m) but the Nigerian international’s wage demands are likely to be excessive.
With that being the case, there is no certainty at the moment as to who will become the No.1 target.
There is a notable omission from Chelsea’s shortlist
One forward that Hawkins doesn’t mention is Liam Delap. It may simply be that he doesn’t have any information relating to the Ipswich Town player, but his absence is noteworthy.
While the England Under 21 international does have a £30m buyout clause, he is expected to have several other suitors as well.
A lot may still depend on whether Chelsea qualify for the Champions League. They take on Nottingham Forest in a pivotal fixture at the City Ground on Sunday.
Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here