Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist of striker targets for Mauricio Pochettino after the new manager last week expressed concerns his frontline may need further firepower next season.
The Blues have been in contact over several different options, including Montpellier’s Elye Wahi and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
No firm decision on whether to pursue targets has yet been made, with RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku and Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson already joining this summer, though are anticipating Romelu Lukaku’s departure.
Chelsea want at least £38million to sell Lukaku and over the weekend walked away from talks with Inter Milan after being unimpressed with their latest offer.
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Exploratory talks with Montpellier over Wahi have begun. The 20-year-old scored 19 goals in 33 league games last season and is weighing up a host of offers this summer.
Vlahovic has long been seen as a viable option after Juventus put him up for sale for £68million.
Pochettino has a long-standing interest in Roma forward Paulo Dybala, who has a £10.2m release clause open to foreign clubs but does not fit the age profile of a modern Chelsea target.
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund are also admired.
Osimhen is currently deemed unlikely with Paris Saint-Germain frontrunners and Napoli demanding a staggering £130m for their star striker.
Hojlund is Erik ten Hag’s no1 striker target at Manchester United but officials at Stamford Bridge are well aware of his talents and have previously spoken to Atalanta about his availability.
Chelsea remain focused on strengthening midfield, with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo the main transfer target.
