With the Falcao deal all but complete, it would appear Jose Mourinho is still keen to bring at least one more player into the squad; after having three top class strikers at his disposal last season.
After club legend Didier Drogba departed Stamford Bridge this summer, and French striker Loic Remy being heavily linked with a move away from the club; here are five potential replacements for the pair.
1. Antoine Griezmann
Despite numerous reports suggesting otherwise, it is believed that Mourinho is still keen on signing Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann. The versatile Frenchman scored an impressive 22 goals in 37 appearances in his first season with Ateltico, after joining the club from Real Sociedad.
And should Chelsea let fellow Frenchman Remy go this summer, it is understood that the Blues would be willing to meet Griezmann’s £43m buy-out clause in his current contract. However, Mourinho could face stiff competition from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain; the latter who have reportedly tabled an offer of £28.5m, according to the Daily Express.
2. Mauro Icardi.
Though the 22-year-old has recently signed a new four-year deal with his current side, Inter Milan; according to talkSPORT, the Blues have been joined by Real Madrid and Manchester United in the race to sign Icardi.
The striker finished as joint top goal scorer in Serie A last season, netting 22 times; similarly to Griezmann. And despite his new contract, the possibility of Champions League football at Chelsea and Madrid could be enough to force a move away from Inter, who only managed to finish 8th in Serie A last season.
3. Gonzalo Higuain
Another man linked with a move away from Serie A is Napoli striker Higuain. According to The Express, Mourinho is reportedly keen on signing the Argentine, who spent three season playing for Mourinho at Madrid.
The report suggests an initial inquiry was made towards the beginning of June, with the Blues willing to spend up to £30m for the striker. Higuain joined Napoli from Madrid for £34.5m in 2013 and has since made 83 appearances for the club, scoring 51 times.
4. Patrick Bamford
The young English striker enjoyed a rather prolific season in front of goal last campaign. Helping Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough reach the Championship Play-Off Final, whilst also being named the Championship Player of the Year, Bamford netted 17 times in a standout season for the youngster.
Despite being linked with another loan move away this season, according to The Times, Bamford has turned down the opportunity to join his former boss Steve McClaren at Newcastle in order to prove himself at Chelsea.
5. Dominic Solanke
Another impressive, young English striker who also enjoyed a prolific campaign in front of goal last season is Solanke. The 17-year-old scored 41 goals in all competitions at youth level, helping the Blues win their fourth FA Youth Cup trophy in four years, alongside a victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Youth League final.
The striker became the youngest ever Chelsea player to feature in the a Champions League, after making his debut from the substitutes bench last season against NK Maribor. And whilst he is still young, Solanke further continued his impressive form after scoring the winning goal in Chelsea’s post-season friendly against the Thailand All-Stars.
