The Chelsea attack is set for plenty of changes before the 2025/26 season gets underway at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca hinted the Blues needed a new striker straight after winning the Conference League last week, even though Nicolas Jackson had found the net during the game.
Chelsea have already agreed terms with Liam Delap and are set to announce his signing in the coming days, with the plan being for him to take part in the Club World Cup.
However, reports have continued to state that the club are keen on bringing more than one striker to Stamford Bridge this summer, with a number of other names still on their shortlist.
Chelsea ‘agree personal terms’ with £80m striker
One of those is Hugo Ekitike, with the Eintracht Frankfurt striker attracting the attention of numerous top clubs, including Premier League champions, Liverpool.
Chelsea are looking to take the lead in the race though, and Simon Phillips has claimed that over the weekend they agreed personal terms with the forward.
He said on his Substack: “Chelsea ideally want to bring two new strikers in this window, and the second one as well as Delap might even still happen before the CWC with advancements made over the weekend.
“SPTC sources have heard that Chelsea have broadly agreed personal terms with Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike over the weekend after another round of talks with his agents.
“On the club side, Frankfurt are still digging their heels in on the £80m asking price for Ekitike, but Chelsea are still firmly there for him and are attempting to negotiate that fee down. Sources have said that confidence has been growing on Chelsea’s side that they can do this deal, especially after broadly agreeing personal terms with the player.
“Frankfurt also have a replacement already lined up, so Chelsea know there is a willingness to sell there and that the player wants to leave – they will sell.”
Ekitike signing could be the end of Jackson at Chelsea
It is unlikely that Chelsea go into the new season with three genuine options to start the campaign up front at Stamford Bridge.
Therefore, the opportunity for rival clubs to sign Jackson could come to the table after back-to-back double digit seasons in the Premier League.
Jackson is unhappy at Chelsea right now, and no doubt has the abilities to be a starting striker at a top club despite being early into his first team career.
There is no real future for Christopher Nkunku at the club, whilst Marc Guiu is under consideration to be the next promising youngster to be loaned out to Strasbourg following the success of Andrey Santos there.
