Chelsea are said to be considering three alternatives to Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the January transfer window. The 37-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge on a number of occasions this season amid an increasingly uncertain future at Manchester United.
Following an explosive interview with Pier Morgan, doubt has been cast as to whether the striker can salvage a relationship with Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag. According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, Jorge Mendes will offer Ronaldo to the Blues, but a move "remains complicated".
The report confirms that Tuchel was a primary 'roadblock' in negotiations last summer, with the German refusing to hold serious discussions over signing the striker. It remains to be seen whether Graham Potter would hold an interest in the five-time Ballon d'Or winner but it's said that Chelsea are already considering a number of alternatives to Ronaldo after a summer switch collapsed.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly's decisive Graham Potter call forces Chelsea fans to face unwelcome reality
So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at the three candidates Chelsea are considering as instead of Ronaldo ahead of the January transfer window.
Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku is the first of three players who are named on the west Londoners' shortlist, according to Jacobs. A deal which brings the RB Leipzig star to Stamford Bridge is believed to be 'close'.
football.london understand that the Blues hold a long-term interest in Nkunku and they were considering whether to make an approach last summer, but they were put off by Leipzig's €100million (£87.6million) valuation. In June, the France international penned a two-year extension at the Red Bull Arena which cast 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.
Rafael Leao
Jacobs says that Rafael Leao 'remains on the radar', though the AC Milan star is said to be engaged in ongoing talks with the Italian giants over a new deal. The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer but that failed to materialise.
The Blues are said to be monitoring the winger's situation as he engages in talks with the Rossoneri over a new deal. Leao sees his contract at the San Siro expire in 2024 and he's believed to have a €150million (£130.5million) release clause.
Ivan Toney
The third and final striker on Chelsea's shortlist named by Jacobs is Ivan Toney. The Brentford striker is reportedly being looked at by the Blues as he continues to impress in the Premier League.
According to the Mirror in August, the west Londoners were actually weighing up a bid for the 26-year-old. Toney was said to have had a £40million asking price but, after rubbing shoulders with the likes of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland on the goal charts this season, that fee could rise by January.
He's also been compared to Didier Drogba in the past which won't do him any harm at all...
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