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Maresca wants another striker | Getty Images
Chelsea could be about to miss out on a deal to sign a striker this summer.
Chelsea could be slipping behind in the race to sign a striker this summer as they concentrate their efforts on landing a winger. The Blues are currently busy in the FIFA Club World Cup, facing Benfica in the Round of 16 on Saturday.
But there will be hard work going on behind the scenes to make sure new players are procured between now and the end of the season. Enzo Maresca will want to set up a title charge next season while also putting together a respectable Champions League campaign, and new signings will be needed to make that jump.
Maresca is said to want a new winger, centre-back and likely another striker on top of Liam Delap this summer, while there will also likely be signings elsewhere to add depth to other areas. In terms of the striker signing, there have been plenty of frontmen linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
One of the latest was Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, who has been making headlines as this summer’s under-21s Euros. Woltemade has scored six times and provided three assists in just four games for the German youngsters.
The two-time Germany senior international scored 17 goals last season, also providing three assists, and while he only arrived at Stuttgart last summer, he is already attracting attention aplenty. Chelsea have been linked, but it seems Bayern Munich are now stealing a march in the deal.
Florian Plettenberg posted on X: “EXCLUSIVE | FC Bayern and Nick #Woltemade have reached a full verbal agreement on a summer transfer! The 23 y/o versatile striker wants to join Bayern with immediate effect. Long-term contract until 2030 with salary terms already agreed in the last days. Bayern’s supervisory board have already approved the deal. There have been no negotiations between the clubs yet. The contract with VfB is valid until 2028, with no release clause. VfB want to keep him.”
Chelsea must find clarity
Chelsea seem to be concentrating all of their efforts on signing Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, but they need to find some clarity in their bid to sign another striker. Options are being taken off the table, and there weren’t many options to begin with.
The Blues seem unlikely to spend big on the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres or Hugo Ekitike, and you wonder where they will end up turning as they look to add more competition up top. It may end up being an under the radar signing for the Blues unless they are willing ot break the banhk, which seems unlikely given the other positions they need to strengthen this summer. In the meantime, Delap is off to a good start, scoring at the FIFA Club World Cup and showing a real presence in the front line.
Nicolas Jackson is also likely to get plenty of action next season, but after a couple of reckless red cards, he is going to have to win Maresca’s trust back over the course of pre-season.
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