The Blues owner Roman Abramovich is keen to sign a striker in the summer transfer window and there are already two targets on the agenda. The Blues were looking to bring in some competition for Tammy Abraham in January, but failed to get anybody through the door to the disappointment of Frank Lampard.
Olivier Giroud came close to joining Inter Milan, while Tottenham were also interested in the Frenchman. But Lampard blocked a deadline day exit after a lucrative last-minute move for Dries Mertens failed. Yet the Chelsea boss is keen to bring in some extra firepower this summer, when Abramovich is likely to spend big once again having only made one signing since recruiting Christian Pulisic in January 2018. According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, there are two names on the club’s radar.
The first of which is Moussa Dembele, the Lyon striker who is also attracting interest from Manchester United. Dembele already has a proven goalscoring record on British soil, having had success with both Fulham and Celtic.
Second on their wish-list is Lautaro Martinez, who is developing into one of the most highly-rated forwards in world football. Barcelona appear to be the frontrunners for his signature, and Lionel Messi could hope lure his compatriot to the Nou Camp. Martinez has a release clause of £94million, a figure that has not scared Barca off as of yet.
Barca are looking to replace Luis Suarez, who will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Yet despite Barcelona’s strong interest, Chelsea have a trick up their sleeve ahead of potential negotiations.
They currently own two players that interest Inter, who are managed by their former boss Antonio Conte. Both Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso are players that Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta looked at last month. Chelsea reportedly made a move for Dembele in January which prompted Lyon to release a statement.
“Olympique Lyonnais has taken note of certain information relayed by the media suggesting that Moussa Dembele could interest other clubs during this transfer window,” it read. “OL would like to reaffirm its wish, as in the summer of 2019, to keep Moussa Dembele. “The club has full confidence in Moussa and counts in particular on him to build a successful team for the seasons to come.”