While it was already expected to be a busy transfer window at Stamford Bridge, many perhaps didn’t expect Chelsea to be acting as quickly as they are in the market.
It is only a matter of time before the signing of Liam Delap is announced, as Blues fans prepare for a potential new number nine to support.
The future for Nicolas Jackson is unclear after reports the striker is unhappy at the club, with competition for places looking likely up front.
It looks as if the Blues are not done yet though when it comes to attacking reinforcements, with reports stating that they are interested in bringing another option in as well as Delap.
Chelsea closing in on signing Hugo Ekitike
The leading name on that list is Hugo Ekitike, after his brilliant season up front for Eintracht Frankfurt. He scored 22 goals in all competitions last season.
Chelsea are not the only club interested in signing him, however according to L’Equipe, they are accelerating towards closing a deal for his services.
The report goes on to state that Ekitike has pulled out of the France U21 squad, and while he is nursing an injury it is likely that this is in order to rest before a potential transfer.
The Blues are back in action in less than two weeks’ time when the Club World Cup gets underway, and they are turning up to try and win it and gain a significant financial injection.
Ekitike compared to Kylian Mbappe
Being just 22 years of age, the future is certainly bright for the French striker, and he proved last season that he is one of the more promising talents in Europe.
It is therefore no surprise he has already found himself compared to some of the best in the world, with Wesley Sneijder making the comparison with Kylian Mbappe.
He said (Footmundo): “I might say something really crazy, but I’ll say it anyway: I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappé. I sincerely think so. He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé.
“To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappé also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy.”
Chelsea are hoping to solve their goalscoring woes with multiple additions this summer, and capturing both Delap and Ekitike would certainly be seen as good business.