Chelsea perform U-turn over signing prolific striker after £25m price drop

Chelsea are beginning to change their minds about signing a prolific striker, after previously deciding not to in 2024, with the addition of a new centre-forward standing out among the club’s top transfer priorities this summer.

Chelsea make summer striker plan after inactive January

Enzo Maresca’s side elected not to acquire a number nine in January, a decision which has been met with fierce criticism ever since, especially following long-term injuries to Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson.

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Guiu and Jackson’s absences means that Christopher Nkunku is Maresca’s only real striking option right now, dealing Chelsea a real obstacle to overcome in their chase for Champions League qualification.

While Nkunku has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, the Frenchman is arguably not suited to being a natural striker, and a fresh vocal point has long been tipped as a real missing piece for Chelsea.

Victor Osimhen was the subject of serious late summer interest from Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea were involved in a high-profile race alongside Al-Ahli for the Nigerian’s signature, before neither side could manage a deal for the eventual-Galatasaray marksman.

Attention now turns to the next summer transfer window, as Chelsea shortlist striker targets ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign.

Ipswich Town sensation Liam Delap and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are both thought to be on their agenda, as per reliable Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips and other media sources, while Sporting Lisbon superstar Viktor Gyokeres has also been linked.

The Sweden international has bagged a pretty incredible 34 goals across 36 appearances in all competitions this season, following up his equally electric 23/24 season in the Primeira Liga, and it is surely only a matter of time before elite clubs become tempted to take him off Sporting’s hands.

Chelsea performing U-turn over signing Viktor Gyokeres

As per reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, writing for GiveMeSport, Chelsea decided not to pursue a move for the 26-year-old in January 2024.

However, Chelsea are now giving fresh consideration over signing Gyokeres, with the Blues seemingly performing a U-turn over their previous stance. This is also fuelled by the notion that Sporting could now sell for around £58 million, which is a £25 million drop from his actual £83 million release clause.

Given the former Coventry City star’s exceptional record in front of goal, this could prove to be a bargain, but agents fees and wages could still make it a fairly costly operation.

“He joined Coventry on loan and then signed for them permanently. All the lads have said when he came back in the summer after signing permanently, he was a different animal,” said former teammate Jake Bidwell.

“With the way he plays as well, with his aggression, the two (qualities) go hand in hand with how well he has done. He all of a sudden realised how quick and strong he was and had the confidence to use it and mixed with the aggression, it’s made him pretty unstoppable.”