Chelsea's search for a striker is likely to be the dominant story of their summer transfer window.
Despite having splashed out more than £220million on seven new recruits last summer, the Blues, who lock horns with Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid in the second-leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday evening, have struggled to find a consistent source of goals this season.
The likes of Kai Havertz, who scored twice in the 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have all struggled to hit the high notes on a consistent basis, meaning Thomas Tuchel, despite enjoying an outstanding start to life at Stamford Bridge, is keen to add a new striker to his ranks.
In recent weeks and months, the Blues have been linked with a whole host of options, including Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, who is going to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur and more recently Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku.
Whilst Aguero would be available on a free transfer, Haaland, Kane and Lukaku would all command huge transfer fees, with all three valued in excess of £100million.
However, Chelsea could now be forced to cut Haaland from their shortlist after it was announced by Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke that the Norway international will remain with the Bundesliga heavyweights this summer.
Speaking to Sport1, Watzke said: "I've known [Mino] Raiola [Haaland's agent] for a long time and get along well with him. It's no problem for us.
"Erling Haaland will remain a Borussia Dortmund player next year."
That news could force Chelsea to completely rethink their recruitment strategy this summer after they had identified Haaland as their top target.
However, they could now switch their focus to Lukaku, who, according to reports last week, would be available for £105million.
But although Chelsea are reportedly keen on the idea of potentially bringing the Belgian back to Stamford Bridge, Lukaku appears to have poured cold water on the prospect of that happening.
On Sunday, Inter clinched their first Serie A title since 2010 and Lukaku, who had played a key role in that being achievable, scoring 12 league goals this term, celebrated with supporters in Milan.
Opening up on those celebrations, Lukaku admitted that he is "proud" to play for the club.
He said: “I’m really proud to be an Inter player. I’ve a special feeling with this club, that’s why I decided to celebrate around the city today with our fans."
With that said, it seems highly unlikely that he will leave the club this forthcoming summer and seal a shock return to west London, although his mind could be changed if lucrative offers were made for his services.
But with the race for Haaland now potentially over, and Lukaku not appearing to have any plans to leave Inter, Chelsea may have to rethink their recruitment plans as far as their search for a new striker is concerned.
