Chelsea are said to be “very serious” about signing a “big star” alternative to Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this summer, with Enzo Maresca’s side holding every intention of bringing in a top-class number nine.
Chelsea set sights on striker signing this summer
The west Londoners are widely expected to sign a new centre-forward, and many targets are on BlueCo’s agenda already.
"Underrated" £163k-per-week star has "set his sights" on joining Chelsea
The player is determined to seal a Stamford Bridge switch.
1 ByEmilio GalantiniApr 6, 2025
Nicolas Jackson still hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since the turn of the year, leading to concerns over the Senegalese’s suitability to lead the line going forward, even if this is partly due to injury.
Ipswich Town (home)
April 13th
Fulham (away)
April 20th
Everton (home)
April 26th
Liverpool (home)
May 4th
Newcastle (away)
May 10th
Christopher Nkunku, despite scoring 14 goals in all competitions this season, has also only bagged two league goals since the start of December – so the Frenchman isn’t exactly a prolific stand-in for Jackson when utilised as a striker.
Maresca has even resorted to using Pedro Neto in a makeshift striker role a lot of the time in recent weeks, highlighting Chelsea’s glaring need for a prolific new option.
Reports suggest that Delap is a top target for Chelsea heading into the first summer window, which is open from June 1st to June 10th and allows them to sign a striker before their Club World Cup campaign.
It’s also been revealed that Delap’s contract includes a £40 million release clause tied with Ipswich being relegated, but this has alerted a host of Chelsea’s top-flight rivals, who are all on the lookout for a fresh striking option as well.
Competition for the Englishman’s signature could be fierce this summer, but Delap isn’t the only man in Chelsea’s thinking.
Galatasaray loanee and Napoli outcast Victor Osimhen is very keen to join Chelsea, according to recent claims from media sources, and his deal will also include a release clause worth up to £69 million.
Another striker up for grabs, and firmly on Chelsea’s radar, is RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko.
Chelsea "very serious" about signing Benjamin Sesko this summer
The Slovenia international rejected a proposal to join Chelsea last summer, as per Fabrizio Romano, but it is reportedly far more likely that he will leave the Bundesliga side this year.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Sesko is a “very serious” option for Chelsea, after hearing news from his sources over the weekend.
This follows another incredible campaign in Germany, where he’s racked up 19 goals in all competitions and bettered his 23/24 tally already, and the 21-year-old’s current release clause is set at £62 million (Sky Sports).
Despite his growing status, Slovenia national team director Miran Pavlin says Sesko has remained humble, which could be an encouraging factor of his personality as Maresca’s side scour for the right man to lead their line.
“He’s very modest, coming from a small town and knows how to deal with all the things,” said Pavlin.
“He became a big star since a young age, but has stayed a normal guy and I’m sure he’ll stay like that in the future, too.”