Chelsea are carrying on their busy summer transfer window after sealing a move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with Enzo Maresca's side now setting their sights on another exciting young centre-forward.
Chelsea could sign second striker after Liam Delap
The former Man City starlet joins in a £30 million deal following Ipswich's confirmed relegation to the Championship, and fresh off the back of a 12-goal Premier League season, there is potential for Delap to do well at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's Reece James lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates Related
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He could be their next signing after Liam Delap.
After completing a medical earlier this week (Fabrizio Romano), Delap becomes Chelsea's first signing of what is expected to be a busy window, and it is believed yet another striker could still follow the Englishman.
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This is made all the more possible by clubs showing a genuine interest in striker Nicolas Jackson, who could leave Chelsea this summer and make way for another number nine, likely to be Hugo Ekitiké of Eintracht Frankfurt as things stand.
"Liam Delap is joining as well as another striker that points in the direction of Hugo Ekitiké of Frankfurt," wrote reliable journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, this week.
"There’s been a lot of contrasting reporting on Jackson and what his future will hold now it looks like two new strikers are arriving at the club.
Chelsea-Nicolas-Jackson
"At the very least, he now has big question marks hanging over his head, but what is the latest on him?
"Chelsea do like Jackson, but there has been a desire to upgrade him and bring more competition in. They believe that he doesn’t have enough to lead Chelsea in the Champions League right now, so have looked to bring in others.
"In terms of a selling standpoint, they will very much listen to any offers that come in without actively pushing to sell him."
Phillips adds that Manchester United, Aston Villa, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid are all interested in the Senegalese and are considering making an offer, so an exit for Jackson is very much a possibility.
Now, as one African striker is faced with the prospect of leaving Stamford Bridge, another has been given the chance to join Maresca's squad.
Chelsea make "official offer" to sign Villarreal striker Karl Etta Eyong
According to Africa Foot, Chelsea are seriously moving in pursuit of Villarreal striker Karl Etta Eyong.
The "promising" Cameroonian, as stated by this report, has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season, scoring once in La Liga for the first team and a further 19 for Villarreal's B squad, with the 21-year-old also attracting attention from Toulouse, Getafe, and Leganes.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during training
However, it is Maresca's side who appear to be in pole position. Chelsea have made an "official offer" for Etta Eyong, submitting a five-year contract proposal until 2030, with the option of spending next season at sister club Strasbourg to help further his development.
There's been no confirmation of whether the player or Villarreal are inclined to accept this proposal, but it may be one to watch over the coming days.