All worth €75m or less
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Chelsea will be delighted to have secured Champions League football for next season and have won the Europa Conference League, and it could be massive for the club going forward. But let’s be honest, this is no heartwarming underdog story. Since American Todd Boehly took over the club in May 2022, no club in world football have spent more money than the Blues. In that timeframe, they have spent a mind-boggling €1.44 billion on new signings. However, despite this lavish spending, there still appears to be some holes in their squad, and rumours suggest Chelsea will target a striker before the Club World Cup gets underway on June 15.
Due to the inaugural revamped Club World Cup, there will be a special early transfer window that will open for clubs on June 1 and close on June 10. Blues’ striker Nicolas Jackson started the season in fine form, but the Senegalese forward’s form plummeted in the second half of the campaign, and reports suggest that Chelsea want more firepower up front. So who could the west London side bring in to bolster their front-line? Here at Transfermarkt, we have picked out five strikers that Enzo Maresca’s side have been linked with and could target in the comings days and weeks.
Five strikers Chelsea could sign before the Club World Cup
Viktor Gyökeres – €75m
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Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres has been ridiculously prolific yet again in Liga Portugal for Sporting this season. He finished the campaign with 39 league goals alone, and it has been widely reported that he has now played his last game for the club and will leave for a €65 million package this summer, with a release clause included in his contract. Last week the Evening Standard reported that Chelsea were one of a number of clubs interested in the former Coventry striker. He could certainly add a new dimension to their attack, and if he could get anywhere near replicating his numbers in Portugal, it could elevate the Blues up the league.
Benjamin Sesko – €65m
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A younger alternative on the market this summer is RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The 21 year old has been heavily linked with Arsenal for some time now, but this week The Guardian reported that Chelsea also hold firm interest in the Slovenian attacker. He finished the season with 13 Bundesliga goals and is far from the finished article yet, but there is a feeling that the potential is high with the young forward.
Hugo Ekitiké – €55m
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Another Bundesliga striker on a lot of club’s summer wish-lists is Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké. The 22 year old has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the German Side, scoring 15 Bundesliga goals and is attracting a lot of interest from Premier League clubs. This week The Athletic reported that Chelsea were interested in the Frenchman and seeking to conclude business early, but that Frankfurt are holding out for a package in the region of €100m.
João Pedro – €50m
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João Pedro |
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An alternative with Premier League experience could come in Brighton’s João Pedro. The Brazilian has caused even the meanest defences problems for the Seagulls on his day, and at just 23 years of age there is still room for improvement. He finished the Premier League season with 10 goals and six assists in 27 games, and the Daily Mail have been reporting that Chelsea are exploring a deal for Pedro who will reportedly be allowed to leave the Amex this summer for the right price.
Liam Delap – €35m
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L. Delap |
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Ipswich striker Liam Delap was a shining light for the Tractor Boys in their relegation campaign. He scored 12 Premier League goals in his debut season for the club, but will likely leave this summer and head back to the Premier League. The 22-year-old is expected to decide on his next move in the coming days after meeting interested clubs for talks over the past week. Reports suggest he can leave for around €35m due to a relegation clause in his contract, and that Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton have all made a pitch in recent days.
