Chelsea set to miss out on prolific striker target as rivals plot HUGE transfer

Suraj Radia

• 21 Jan 2024 09:18 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea could miss out on a top transfer targets after reports that a London rival could be prepared to smash their transfer record this month to sign one of the most in-form strikers in world football.

Mauricio Pochettino has been desperate to add more firepower to his team, with only two teams in the top ten of the Premier League scoring less goals than Chelsea this season.

Cole Palmer is the club’s current top scorer with nine goals, although five of those have come from the penalty spot, while Nicolas Jackson has proven inconsistent despite netting seven times in 19 appearances during his debut season.

Chelsea’s ideal target is believed to be Victor Osimhen but a move for the Napoli striker would cost in excess of £100 million, a figure which the Blues cannot consider meeting until the summer due to financial restrictions.

Osimhen’s high price tag has meant Chelsea have continued to explore their options in the meantime, one of whom has been his Nigerian teammate Victor Boniface, who has 16 goals in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen this season.

However, The Sun report that West Ham are looking to beat Chelsea and Newcastle to Boniface’s signing, with club director Tim Steidten pushing to make a big money move for the 23-year-old before the end of the month.

Chelsea looking to fund striker signing by selling academy graduate

Despite the potential approach from West Ham, it is unlikely that Leverkusen will be willing to sell their star striker this winter, with the club pushing for the Bundesliga title after going seven points clear at the top following a win over Leipzig this weekend.

Chelsea have been hoping to raise funds for a striker by selling one of their own in Armando Broja, with a £50m price tag placed on the academy graduate.

West Ham have considered Broja as a more attainable alternative to Boniface, while Fulham are also interested, but neither have been willing to meet Chelsea’s asking price so far.

Another option for both Chelsea and the Hammers is said to be Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, who has attracted interest from both sides, although Pochettino’s men look set to focus their attention on a big money move for Osimhen in the summer.