Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be a very happy man right now following his side’s victory in the Conference League final on Wednesday.
The above is not the only reason why Maresca will be delighted, though. The Italian is set to get his hands on a brand new striker.
Chelsea have been confident about signing Liam Delap and now appear to be closing in on the 22-year-old’s signature.
Delap would provide Nicolas Jackson with the competition he has been lacking this season, but the Blues may not stop with him.
Chelsea could still sign Joao Pedro after Liam Delap deal
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro is another striker who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Last week, it was claimed that Chelsea were trying to sign Pedro from their Premier League rivals, but their main focus appears to be on Delap.
However, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Chelsea’s move for Delap has not killed a deal for Pedro and things are only on hold.
It means that Maresca could yet end up with two new forwards ahead of the 2025/26 season. That would be bad news for Jackson, who would almost certainly see his game time reduced.
The Senegal international has had an up and down season but managed to score the goal that put Chelsea in front for the first time on Wednesday in their Conference League final tie against Real Betis.
How Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has described Joao Pedro
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler will not want to lose Pedro, who has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists for the Seagulls this season.
For Hurzeler, the 23-year-old has been a “role model”. He told The Athletic after one game in January: “Today he was a role model in working against the ball, doing good counter-pressing, reacting well and supporting his team-mates.”
However, despite Chelsea making Delap their main target, it looks like Hurzeler could still end up losing Pedro to the Blues. He is one name that is certainly worth keeping an eye on once the transfer window opens.
