Chelsea have made signing a new centre-forward this summer a priority and have several names on their shortlist.
Nicolas Jackson is currently Enzo Maresca‘s first-choice striker, but the 23-year-old has had a very inconsistent season.
Jackson picked up an injury in February, was on a 13-game goal drought and got himself sent off over the weekend.
Maresca was disappointed with Jackson’s red card against Newcastle United and would have wanted another No.9 added to his squad even before that incident. With Marc Guiu still just 19, the Senegal international is the only recognised striker at Chelsea with any real kind of experience.
Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Samu Aghehowa and Conrad Harder all on Chelsea’s radar
In terms of who could come in to take some of the pressure off Jackson, Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is high on Chelsea’s list.
However, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has exclusively told The Chelsea Chronicle that the Blues do have other options as they prioritise bringing in a young striker this summer.
On the club’s search for a new centre-forward, Bailey said: “Chelsea have been working hard on Delap, they liked him before he even joined Ipswich — they spoke to Man City about him when they signed Cole Palmer.
“They feel he is a good fit for them, but so do Manchester United and we are told he is leaning towards a move to Old Trafford.
“Chelsea know the situation, they know that others particularly United are keen and they have been working on other options, we know that.
“They like Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Samu Aghehowa, Conrad Harder, whilst there is Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, Marcus Thuram — Chelsea know every striker on the market but it does seem they want a younger option, that has been their priority in recent windows and they look set to continue on that path.”
Chelsea have looked at the likes of Sesko and Aghehowa in the past, so it would not be a surprise to see them make a move for one of them if Delap ends up at United or somewhere else.
Samu Aghehowa actually came close to joining Chelsea in the last summer transfer window but would go on to sign for Porto instead, where he is thriving.
In 41 appearances this season, the 21-year-old has scored 24 goals. Based on how he has performed in the current campaign, Maresca would likely welcome his arrival.
Chelsea also set to strengthen out wide
Centre-forward is not the only attacking position Chelsea could strengthen when the transfer market opens.
Bailey has also told The Chelsea Chronicle that United winger Alejandro Garnacho remains on Chelsea’s radar after January interest.
Jadon Sancho could return to Old Trafford, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still suspended, so Maresca could be left short in the left-wing position going into the 2025/26 season.
