Chelsea target €100m-rated striker after Duran and Omorodion setbacks

Robin Bairner

Updated: 19 Jun 2024 06:48 BST
3 min read

Jhon Duran, Samuel Omorodion, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea continue to scour the transfer market for a centre forward, with a No.9 proving difficult to find as deals for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran and Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion have stalled.

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The Blues are struggling to agree terms of a transfer for Duran with Villa, while they have already seen a bid for Omorodion knocked back by Atleti.

Already this summer, they have been left disappointed by Benjamin Sesko’s decision to remain at RB Leipzig rather than move on.

Next on Chelsea's summer transfer shortlist, meanwhile, is Sesko’s RB Leipzig teammate Lois Openda – a player who was actually preferred to the Slovenia international for much of the campaign.

TeamTalk reports that the Blues believe the 24-year-old has the profile that new manager Enzo Maresca needs in attack.

Openda’s versatility and ability to play in multiple different systems is seen on making him an ideal signing for the Blues.

The Belgium international scored 24 and set up seven in his debut Bundesliga campaign last season, having been a key part of the Lens side that finished only a point behind PSG in Ligue 1 12 months previous.

Compared

Loïs Openda

F (CL), AM (C)

RB Leipzig

Loïs Openda

F (CL), AM (C)

RB Leipzig

VS

Benjamin Sesko

F (RL), AM (L)

RB Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko

F (RL), AM (L)

RB Leipzig

2023/2024

Season Statistics

2023/2024

45	Appearances	42
28	Goals	18
7	Assists	2
72	Shots On Target	37
154	Shots Total	68
5	Yellow Cards	1

Lois Openda to Chelsea: A transfer deal difficult to broker

Chelsea’s hopes of landing Openda, though, are slim.

Although he has a release clause worth in the region of €80 million, this will not become active until next summer. Previously, RB Leipzig had pegged his summer value at €100m, although it is not clear whether they may be willing to downgrade this price following the confirmation that Sesko is staying.

Even at €80m, though, he would be a lavish buy for Chelsea. The Blues are struggling to negotiate far smaller deals on both Duran and Omorodion, and while they may be willing to pay more for a proven performer like Openda, their ability to spend such money without first selling is doubtful.

Openda’s presence at Euro 2024, too, complicates matters. It would be surprising if a deal were brokered while Belgium are still in the competition, though after a shock 1-0 loss to Slovakia on Tuesday, their interest could be curtailed.