Chelsea are on the hunt for a new attacking star ahead of the 2022/23 season. The Blues attack somewhat underwhelmed last term, and Thomas Tuchel is looking to bolster his options.
Not only do Chelsea want to improve their attacking options, but there are some forwards who could leave the club in the coming months. football.london has been told Romelu Lukaku recently asked his agent to sound out a possible return to Inter Milan, less than 12 months after making the £97.5million move from Italy to England.
However, Inter are understood to not be prioritising a move for the Belgian forward. A loan move is the likelier option for the Italian outfit, who are unlikely to be able to afford whatever Chelsea demand for their club-record signing.
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Chelsea may be unable to shift his £300,000-a-week (plus) wages if he leaves on loan, which would be far from ideal for the west Londoners. If he is to leave the club, then the Blues would surely rather he depart permanently to try and recoup the close-to-£100m they paid for him last summer.
Regardless of whether Lukaku is leaving or not, Chelsea are scouring the market for a new forward. Many have been linked, so football.london takes a look at the current state of play with the Blues' attacking targets.
Christopher Nkunku
Chelsea are interested in signing RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku this summer, football.london understands. The Blues hold a long-term interest in the Frenchman and could make a move in the coming months after scouting his talents during what was a sensational 2021/22 season for him.
Nkunku was crowned as the Bundesliga Player of the Season after scoring 20 goals and providing 15 assists in the German top-flight. Chelsea, of course, have a history of signing someone who has proved to be clinical in the Bundesliga, and it hasn't worked out in the Premier League - Timo Werner.
However, the Blues will be hoping this trend does not continue if they do indeed make a move for the talented Nkunku, who is currently in talks with Leipzig over extending his contract that expires in 2024. The France international recently hinted that a return to Paris Saint-Germain could be on the cards, though, meaning Chelsea would have to move swiftly.
"Paris is my home, my favourite club. I don't close any doors. Everything is possible in football," the Leipzig forward said. "It's nice to have the biggest clubs in the world interested in me. But it's also great to see that Leipzig are doing everything to keep me."
Neymar
Neymar has recently been linked with a surprise switch to the Premier League and to Chelsea. Tuchel coached the Brazilian for two-and-a-half seasons during their days at Paris Saint-Germain, where the attacker scored 51 times and provided 32 assists in the process.
That's a sublime record, and a reunion is one that would be welcome by multiple Chelsea supporters. Some, however, have their reservations - and it's easy to see why.
The 30-year-old is reportedly on over £600,000-a-week in Paris, and it's unlikely he'd want to move anywhere elsewhere he'd be on significantly less than that sum. Chelsea cannot afford to pay those kinds of wages, even with new owner Todd Boehly at the helm. There are cheaper options that make far more sense for the club. See below.
Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele looks set to become a free agent when his Barcelona contract expires at the end of the month. The France international had another injury-marred season for the La Liga giants but still managed to register 13 assists in the Spanish top-tier.
Chelsea were keen on Dembele over the January transfer window and football.london understands the winger's agent, Moussa Sissoko, is well aware of the Blues' interest this time around. Further talks between Chelsea and Dembele's representatives are expected to happen in the near future.
The Blues will need to act promptly when it comes to Dembele, though, with several other clubs believed to be interested. Liverpool have been linked in recent days, with PSG also said to be keeping a close eye on the Frenchman's situation.
Raheem Sterling
Chelsea are interested in signing Raheem Sterling this summer, but Real Madrid have recently joined the Blues in the race to buy the Manchester City attacker, according to The Guardian. The England international has just over 12 months remaining on his current contract with Man City and could look to move on from the Premier League champions this summer.
Man City are said to be determined to keep hold of the 27-year-old, but contract negotiations have seemingly reached a dead end. As well as this, City are unlikely to sanction a move for Sterling to a Premier League rival such as Chelsea.
Since switching from Liverpool to Manchester in 2015, Sterling has scored 91 Premier League goals in 225 appearances for his current employers. Tuchel wants to add goals to his underperforming front-line. Sterling certainly fits the bill, but it appears to be tentative interest at the moment.
