Chelsea are set to be frustrated in their attempts to lure strikers Mauro Icardi and Krzysztof Piatek to Stamford Bridge.
Both players have been identified as possible targets for the January transfer window as the Blues look for alternatives to current duo Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, who have just three goals between them this season.
Inter Milan star Icardi was on Chelsea’s wish-list in 2015 and 2016, but chose to remain at the San Siro.
The 25-year-old has scored six goals in as many appearances for Inter, including a key strike in the Champions League win over Tottenham last month.
But the Argentina international not only has a £97.5million release clause — which is nearly £40m more than the club record fee Chelsea paid for Morata in 2017 — it is believed Icardi would only consider leaving Inter for Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Standard Sport understands that Genoa have ruled out the possibility of selling Poland international Piatek in the new year.
The 23-year-old has scored an impressive 13 goals for the Serie A side since joining from Cracovia for just £3.5m in the summer.
He has already been the subject of interest from Napoli, Inter and Roma, but Genoa have made it clear they are not prepared to sell midway through the season. The feeling in Italy is he could be sold next summer although, as things stand, Piatek would prefer to remain in Serie A.
Chelsea can obviously still test Genoa’s resolve, but Piatek’s value has already rocketed to more than £40m and, as it is still early in his career, a move would represent a major gamble.
Speaking earlier this month, Piatek’s agent Szymon Pacanowski said: “Many clubs have contacted us over the last few weeks. His value has certainly risen over the three months in Serie A, but right now we are happy to remain at Genoa.”
