From Osimhen to Lukaku: Ranking Chelsea's striker options this summer

Suraj Radia

• 15 Mar 2023 12:40 CDT
• 5 min read

Chelsea will target a striker in the summer as they look to bounce back from a difficult season which has seen them struggle to find the back of the net on a regular basis.

Graham Potter’s goal-shy Blues are the lowest scorers in the top half of the Premier League, with only six teams producing a worse output than Chelsea’s 27 goals in 26 games.

The club’s top scorer this season is six-goal Kai Havertz meaning Chelsea, fresh from spending nearly £600 million in the last two transfer windows, may splash out again this summer to finally solve their goalscoring woes.

ERRORS: Chelsea's 10 biggest transfer sale mistakes

FootballTransfers takes ranks the candidates, from most to least likely, of who could be leading the line for Chelsea next season.

Victor Osimhen

Chelsea’s top target for the summer will likely be Victor Osimhen, with the Napoli striker in the form of his life, having netted 19 goals in 22 Serie A games, making him one of the leading scorers in Europe.

Napoli’s impending Serie A title means they have no incentive to sell, however Osimhen is entering the final two years of his contract and recently revealed his dream to play in the Premier League, meaning Chelsea and Manchester United will almost certainly test the Italian side’s resolve.

ALERT: Osimhen admits Premier League ambitions

Ivan Toney

While Osimhen may be the ideal target for Chelsea, the Nigerian will likely command a fee in excess of €100 million, something which the Blues could be reluctant to pay given their spending spree in recent months along with concerns over Financial Fair Play.

As a result, a move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney could represent a cheaper and shrewd move, particularly given that he might be handed a lengthy suspension by the FA for gambling offences, meaning the Bees could look to cash in on a player with two years left on his deal.

A Premier League proven goalscorer with a physical presence, Toney – who has netted 15 goals this season – will certainly be high on many team’s shopping list this summer.

Jonathan David

In a year where premium strikers have seemingly been hard to come by, it was perhaps a surprise to see no teams with a serious link to Jonathan David, who has been prolific for Lille in recent times.

The 23-year-old netted 15 goals last season and currently tops the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts, having scored 19 times already this year.

The Canadian’s marketability may also appeal to Todd Boehly and the Chelsea owner has already raided France for Benoit Badiashile and Malo Gusto, meaning a move for David may also be considered this summer.

Joao Felix

Joao Felix has brought a new edge to Chelsea’s attack the 23-year-old has scored just once in his eight games for the club and it would be a surprise if the Blues did turn his loan into a permanent move, especially with Atletico reportedly holding out for up to €100m.

Furthermore, with Christopher Nkunku set to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer, there may not be a need for Felix next season but the Portuguese international is happy at Chelsea and has enough of talent to be successful if he is eventually turned to by the club.

Dusan Vlahovic

Dusan Vlahovic has established himself as one of the best strikers in Europe in recent years and was wanted by Arsenal before he moved to Juventus in 2022 for €80m.

However, the Serbian has been less productive for Juve this season amid their troubles on and off the pitch and the Italian side could cash in after a decline in his form, although they would still demand a high asking price, meaning Chelsea will likely look at other options before considering Vlahovic.

Romelu Lukaku

The last resort option for the Blues is the player they once broke their transfer record for and who, as it stands, will likely be at the club next season whether they like it or not.

Chelsea spent £97.5m on Lukaku in 2021 but he had a disastrous season with the club before being loaned back to Inter, where he has similarly struggled, leading the Italian side to state that he is unlikely to be there next season.

Lukaku has scored just three goals in Serie A this season amid injury and poor form and, combined with the 29-year-old’s high wages, finding another suitor for him will prove near impossible, meaning Chelsea could be stuck with him up front if they strike out on all their targets.