Chelsea are weighing up whether to sign another striker once they have wrapped up deals for Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Writing in his column for GiveMeSport, Jacobs said that the Blues have identified Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike as a “potential target.”

However, it is believed that any bid for the Frenchman may hinge on whether they can find a buyer for Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegalese international could be sold if a team can match his €55m-€60m (£47m-£51m) asking price but that doesn’t seem likely at the moment.

Chelsea will have competition for Ekitike

Manchester United and Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old over the past month, and Arsenal have been added to the list of suitors over the weekend. Reports in Germany claim the Gunners are considering the forward as a potential alternative to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Another key obstacle is the cost of signing Ekitike. Frankfurt are currently holding out for €100m (£85m), which is not a fee Enzo Maresca’s side are prepared to pay. A transfer would only take place if the German club lower their demands.

What is the latest on Gittens and Pedro?

Chelsea agreed to match Borussia Dortmund’s €65m (£55m) price tag last week after several weeks of negotiations. He won’t join up with the rest of the senior side at the Club World Cup as he will be ineligible to play, having been named in Dortmund’s squad for the tournament.

Pedro is not cup-tied, so he will be travelling out to the United States to link up with the team ahead of the quarter-final clash against Palmeiras. The Brazilian will reportedly cost £55m up front, with another £5m due in add-ons.

In other news, we give our player ratings for Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Benfica