Could Chelsea secure a shock striker move this summer?placeholder image
Could Chelsea secure a shock striker move this summer? | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea have been linked with a big-money striker move ahead of this summer window
Chelsea were dealt another massive blow in their quest for Champions League football on Sunday, as London rivals Arsenal came out 2-1 winners in a tale of three corners at the Emirates.
While neither side were at their free-flowing best, the title-chasing Gunners earnt themselves the three points and Chelsea were left floundering in sixth place and rueing missed opportunities.
With five Champions League spots likely to be given to English clubs this season, the Blues retain a fighting chance of qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition – but a run of three matches without a win has put a severe dent in that. Liam Rosenior’s side travel to fourth-place Aston Villa in another tricky test on Wednesday night.
Chelsea have been linked with an ex-Premier League striker ahead of what would be a shock transfer deal this summer.
Chelsea join race for Darwin Nunez after Al-Hilal snub
Chelsea have joined Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, who could return from Saudi Arabia this summer.
Chronicle Live report that Stamford Bridge has emerged as a potential destination for Nunez, who signed for Al-Hilal in a £54 million deal last summer. He has since been dropped from the club’s Saudi Pro League squad after their shock move to sign Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad in January. Saudi clubs have a limit to the number of foreign players permitted in a squad, with Nunez the unfortunate party dropped and now only eligible to play in the AFC Champions League for the remainder of the season.
Nunez is, therefore, expected to leave Al-Hilal in the summer and reportedly prefers the idea of a return to England, where he became a fans’ favourite in his early seasons at Liverpool despite inconsistency in front of goal, which ultimately resulted in him being afforded limited game time under Arne Slot last season as the Reds were crowned champions.
Would Nunez be a success at Chelsea?
While a move for Nunez would certainly come as a surprise to fans of Chelsea and rivals alike, the 26-year-old will feel that he has unfinished business in the Premier League after playing a limited role in his final season at Anfield.
Nunez may not always have been the most reliable of goalscorers at Anfield, but his record of 40 goals in 143 appearances show that the Uruguayan has the ability to decide games on the biggest stages. His ‘Agent of Chaos’ reputation from his time at Liverpool might be just what is needed at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues often seeking inspiration in front of goal this season.
Liam Delap has scored just twice this season since his move from Ipswich Town in the summer and could see previous transfer links with Newcastle re-emerge if Chelsea opt to sign Nunez as his replacement. Delap has been the latest Blues striker to suffer with the ‘No.9 curse’ which has plagued forwards at the club for much of the Premier League era, while Joao Pedro has had a comparatively stronger start to life in west London with 14 goals since his summer move from Brighton & Hove Albion.
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