Graham Potter could be inclined to spend big on a striker in the January transfer window following Armando Broja's worrying injury. The 20-year-old talisman screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa in a friendly with Aston Villa.
Broja looked to be in great discomfort as he clutched his leg. He was quickly tended to by medical staff and subsequently stretchered off.
The Albania international has no history of knee injuries and, as Chelsea prepare for the Premier League's return, the youngster's injury comes as a major blow. In Broja's absence, the Blues went on to lose 1-0 to Unai Emery's side in Abu Dhabi.
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The striker joins a growing list of injured players unavailable to Potter including N'Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell. With Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang set to be the west Londoners' only senior striker, football.london has taken a look at four candidates Chelsea could sign in January to reinforce the club's frontline.
Joao Felix
Joao Felix faces an uncertain future at Atletico Madrid despite impressing for Portugal at the World Cup. The Blues were among several clubs vying for his services three years ago before the forward eventually decided to join the Spanish giants instead.
In March, football.london understood that Arsenal were interested in signing the Portuguese star with Mikel Arteta eager to bolster his frontline following the exits of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But, at the time, Felix was deemed untouchable by Atletico but they look to have since had a change of heart.
The Spanish side's CEO Gil Marin has admitted that the club will consider bids for the 23-year-old. And, he's been given a £86million price tag, according to the Evening Standard.
Felix would be an unconventional alternative to Broja and he's more of a false-nine.
Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer but a move failed to materialise. football.london understand that Chelsea hold a long-term interest in the RB Leipzig star and they were considering whether to make an approach in the summer but they were put off by Leipzig's €100million (£87.6million) valuation.
In June, the France international signed a two-year extension at the Red Bull Arena, casting doubt as to whether a move would be on the cards. But, it's understood that a €60million (£52.6million) release clause - which becomes active in the summer - was inserted into his contract, meaning Nkunku could leave for considerably less than first thought.
According to The Athletic in October, Todd Boehly 'committed to pay' said fee in advance to avoid an inevitable bidding war. Like Felix, he would be an unconventional alternative to Broja and more of a false-nine figure.
Goncalo Ramos
Goncalo Ramos would be the most conventional replacement for Broja on this list. The 21-year-old impressed for Portugal at the World Cup after netting a hat-trick against Switzerland in the round-of-16.
It's said that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all interested in the striker following his performances in Qatar. With the Premier League's biggest clubs eyeing a move for Ramos, Benfica chief Rui Costa has insisted that the youngster will not be sold for anything less than the value of his release clause.
According to Correio da Manha, Ramos' release clause stands at €120million (£103m). A signing of this magnitude may have to wait until the summer unless Boehly has other ideas...
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Metro report that Cristiano Ronaldo has received offers from the Middle East and Australia but he’s holding out for a Champions League side. It's said that the 37-year-old striker was earning around £500,000-a-week at Manchester United but, as it stands, he’ll reportedly have to heavily reduce his wage demands if he wants to remain in Europe.
He would also likely demand first-team minutes. This could be hard to come by considering Potter prefers to use a striker who is mobile and can defend from the front.
Signing Ronaldo would be a huge risk but Boehly is known to be a big fan of the Portuguese star. According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, Thomas Tuchel was a primary 'roadblock' in negotiations when he tried to sign the striker in the summer.
Potter's stance remains to be seen.
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