Chelsea may not pursue a “big-name” striker this summer, according to The Athletic reporter David Ornstein.
The trusted journalist says that the Blues could shy away from paying a sizeable amount on a new No.9 when the transfer window reopens:
“Chelsea’s recruitment policy will continue on a youthful front. We will see some activity in the summer. They will address the defence. In attack as well but it’s not guaranteed that they will sign one of these big-name huge money signings.”
This new development has not gone down well with supporters on X, with many questioning the transfer strategy of the club owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital:
We are finished
— Mistique (@Mistique139) February 13, 2024
CLOWNLAKE OUTTTTT
— RUTHLESS MARC (@ruthlessbush32) February 13, 2024
Jesus… guess those sesko reports were true then? Hopefully we get Nico Williams as well both have 40mil release clauses. Smh man…
— Eren (@VELA_71) February 13, 2024
We need some pedigree experience too! We can’t just have young players everywhere or it’ll be a repeat 🔁
— Geeroze (@Cultureroze) February 13, 2024
Please bring us Osimhen!!! Please
— OJ (@hayford_x) February 13, 2024
Chelsea is permanently a midtable club unless something changes drastically.
— Positivity King 👑 | Roland Nnamdi Gabriel (@RolandNGabriel) February 13, 2024
We really need clinical attacker not some young lad still trying to figure out how he’d like his career to play out
— Balor (@Balor_999) February 13, 2024
Chelsea’s move for Victor Osimhen is now in doubt
The Nigerian international will have a €130m (£110.5m) release clause active at the end of the season but Ornstein’s remarks suggest that the Blues may opt against signing the striker.
With Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also said to be keen on Osimhen, Chelsea could end up losing out on the player.
Which striker will the club target instead?
Brentford’s Ivan Toney will be available for a fee much lower than his original £100m asking price this summer, as the England international will be entering the final year of his contract.
Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are the younger alternatives that would come under consideration.
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