Some of Europe’s top clubs are thought to be interested in Brentford striker Igor Thiago, including Chelsea.
Chelsea already have Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu, while Emanuel Emegha is set to join the club from Strasbourg in the summer.
However, it looks like they could still make a move for Thiago, who is rated very highly at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Despite failing to score in Chelsea’s 4-0 win against Hull City in the FA Cup on Friday, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards praised Delap and thinks he can play alongside Pedro.
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Igor Thiago of Brentford and Marc Cucurella of Chelsea
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Brentford believe Chelsea target Igor Thiago could become the best striker in the world
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich have all been monitoring Thiago and have been impressed with the 24-year-old.
However, Brentford will be very reluctant to let Thiago go, with the same outlet claiming that insiders are insisting that the west London club believe that he has the potential to become “the best striker in world football”.
Thiago has a contract until 2031, so Brentford are under no pressure to sell their talisman. Sitting seventh in the Premier League table, the Bees are also doing very well under Keith Andrews, so Thiago may not be in a rush to leave the Gtech Community Stadium either.
If the Brazilian does join Chelsea, one or two names may need to leave Stamford Bridge to pave the way for his arrival.
It has already been claimed that Manchester United are still interested in Delap after trying to sign the 23-year-old, so he could be one striker who ends up making way for Thiago.
Igor Thiago of Brentford celebrates scoring
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Igor Thiago’s Premier League stats this season
Thiago has arguably been the best striker in England during the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The former Club Brugge man has scored 17 goals, meaning only City’s Erling Haaland has found the back of the net on more occasions than him.
Brentford are backing Igor Thiago to become the best striker in the world one day 😳
He's been linked with a move to Chelsea 🔵 ⚪️
Igor Thiago's league 2025/26 stats
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
According to FotMob, Thiago’s xG is only actually 14.73, so the Brentford star has been clinical and taken some very difficult chances this term.
Ultimately, if Chelsea are planning to sign a new centre-forward this summer, Thiago is definitely a name worth considering. As well as Thiago, Chelsea have also been linked with Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid.
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