Chelsea are "really pushing" to sign a powerhouse striker ahead of their Premier League rivals Arsenal, with both sides holding negotiations and laying groundwork over a deal as we fast approach the summer window.
Chelsea gifted striker boost after vital win over Nottingham Forest
Enzo Maresca's debut season as Chelsea manager, regardless of the debate prior to Sunday's kick-off, can now surely be deemed a success after their all-important 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez celebrate Related
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They've apparently submitted an offer.
Levi Colwill's second-half goal was enough to confirm Chelsea's spot in the Premier League top-five and subsequent Champions League qualification for next season, gifting BlueCo an almighty boost when it comes to their summer recruitment strategy in the process.
Race for Champions League qualification - Final standings
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Maresca himself confirmed that qualifying for the Champions League would have a profound effect on their plans for the looming transfer window, and reliable reports in the build up to Sunday echoed this theme.
While Chelsea are reported to be prioritising the addition of a new striker, centre-back and winger, it is believed they could also go for a versatile attacking player, goalkeeper, full-back and second centre-back, depending on player sales and their European status (Simon Phillips).
Supporters are very eager to see Chelsea bring in a prolific number nine in particular, and the Blues' fourth-placed finish is now set to boost their hopes of signing a 25-plus goals-per-season striker who can deliver the goods up front.
"I'm not thinking about next summer, to be honest," said a coy Maresca after Chelsea's win over Forest, in his post-match press conference.
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"Today is a day that we have to be happy because we brought this club where this club has to be in the most important European competition. And we did today and this is the most important day for them. Now from tomorrow we start to prepare for Wednesday final, and then we have days to see for next season."
Chelsea now "really pushing" to sign RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko
According to journalist Simon Phillips, while Maresca refuses to get drawn in on the club's transfer activity behind-the-scenes, they're in fact making a serious move for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.
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Chelsea have Sesko on their list of striker targets, as previously claimed, but they're now believed to be competing with Arsenal for the 6 foot 5 Slovenia international's signature after his 21-goal season at Leipzig.
His contract includes a £67 million release clause, and Chelsea are now seriously pressing to sign Sesko after holding talks and laying the groundwork for his signature.
"The new info I have is that Arsenal are now really pushing for Benjamin Sesko as well as Chelsea," wrote Phillips.
"Both clubs have held talks and laid down some groundwork to sign him. Arsenal also really like Viktor Gyokeres, but there’s a split internally there as to which striker they want to push for."
Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg believes Arsenal's talks for Sesko are "concrete" as well, so Chelsea do face stiff competition from Mikel Arteta's side. Interestingly, both sides made a proposal for the 21-year-old last summer, which he rejected in favour of signing an extension at Leipzig (Fabrizio Romano).
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko heads at goal
However, the Premier League duo haven't appeared to have thrown the towel in when it comes to tempting Sesko with a move to England, and it will be very intriguing to see how this one develops.
Chelsea are badly in need of a centre-forward, with Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku scoring just two top-flight goals between them this calendar year.