RANKED: The 5 Forwards That Chelsea Are Targeting Ahead Of The January Transfer Window
Chelsea have a five-man shortlist to strengthen the forward line next month, according to the Evening Standard.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about the need to add more firepower and it looks as if the Blues will delve back into the transfer market in order to reinforce the squad.
It remains to be seen how the London club will finance a move for a top striker, considering how much they have spent in the past three transfer windows, but a new no.9 is the main priority.
Press the next page as we rank the targets that Chelsea are expected to pursue in January.
5) Antonio Nusa
Chelsea had a £23m bid rejected for the Norwegian international right before the transfer window closed at the start of September.
Nusa is not, though, an out-and-out striker, with most of his game time for Club Brugge this season coming as a left winger.
He is also just 18 years of age, having scored 8 times in total since making his senior debut in 2021.
Nusa is simply not ready to lead the line for a club like Chelsea, who need an experienced no.9 right away.
4) Roony Bardghji
Like Nusa, the Swedish Under 21 international is not really a striker, having played most of his senior games so far on the right flank for FC Copenhagen.
Bardghji does have slightly more experience, having scored 15 goals in 71 first-team appearances, but he is not ready to be a regular starter in the Premier League.
The teenager would be much better off learning his trade out on loan away from Stamford Bridge, rather than facing the pressure cooker of playing for the Blues where expectations are so high.
If Chelsea did sign Bardghji, they would be repeating the mistake of signing a player for the future rather than the present.
3) Viktor Gyokeres
It’s probably the case that Chelsea have missed the boat on the 25-year-old. Sporting signed the striker from Coventry City for €24m last summer, and he now has a €100m (£86m) release clause.
Gyokeres has certainly turned heads with his performances, scoring 15 times in 18 matches, but he has never played in a top 5 European League or the Champions League.
That lack of experience at the top level, combined with his sky-high price tag, would make him a less than attractive target.
With Sporting having only signed Gyokeres at the start of the season, the Portuguese side would be extremely reluctant to let him go anyway.
2) Ivan Toney
Chelsea would have to change their transfer policy about not signing players above the age of 25 if they want the Brentford striker.
On top of that, Toney has not played any competitive football for well over 6 months due to a ban for betting infringements. However, he will be back available in the middle of January, and his goal record is very impressive.
The 27-year-old hit the back of the net 21 times in all competitions last season, and he could provide the Blues with the cutting edge they have been seriously lacking.
Toney won’t come cheap, though, with reports indicating that Brentford could hold out for as much as £80m.
1) Victor Osimhen
If money was no object and Napoli were willing sellers, the Nigerian international would be the striker that Chelsea would sign.
However, there are some big obstacles in the way of Osimhen joining the London club next month. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is expected to demand as much as €150m (£129m) for the 24-year-old.
The player’s salary would also destroy Chelsea’s wage structure so calculations would need to be made to see how a deal could be secured without breaching Financial Fair Play.
Sales may be required, with it being claimed that the Blues are already willing to listen to offers for Trevoh Chalobah, Noni Madueke, Ian Maatsen, Malang Sarr and perhaps even Conor Gallagher.