Once again, Chelsea are expected to be quite active during the summer transfer window, with one of the main priorities likely being the need to bring in a proper no.9, a dominant centre-forward.
Liam Rosenior’s arrival as manager has sparked some improvement from Joao Pedro, who has scored five goals and provided an assist in his first seven appearances under the new boss. However, Liam Delap continues to struggle in a Blues shirt.
Since his £30 million move from Ipswich last year, Delap has not been able to recapture the form he showed last season. Rosenior even addressed questions from reporters about whether the former Manchester City prospect had lost confidence.
Pedro offers more versatility as he can drop deeper into midfield while the Briton is more of a traditional centre-forward who has not quite settled into life at Chelsea just yet. While Emmanuel Emegha is set to arrive, there is every reason to believe that the Blues will also look for another striker during the next window.
Chelsea are in contact with Dusan Vlahovic over summer move
Chelsea have always had a history of big-name strikers leading the line. Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Diego Costa, and Romelu Lukaku are just a few names that come to mind. Right now, though, that is exactly what they are missing.
That gap could be filled this summer. According to CalcioMercato, Chelsea have started discussions over a potential free transfer for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Vlahovic is currently on £200,000 a week in Turin and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. The report also notes that Milan are interested, but his wage demands could be an obstacle.
England seems a more likely destination where his salary expectations can be met. CM reports that both Chelsea and Newcastle have made enquiries about signing Vlahovic on a free transfer this summer.
Chelsea reignite interest in Dusan Vlahovic
There have been long-standing links between Chelsea and Vlahovic, dating back well before the January window. Earlier this year, reports suggested that the Blues were offered a chance to sign the Serbian striker for £20m, though nothing came of it and he remained at Juventus.
If there is no contract extension, Vlahovic is expected to finish out the season with Juventus before leaving as a free agent. It is a far cry from when ESPN reported that Chelsea once tabled a £69m offer for him.
That bid came during Mauricio Pochettino’s time in charge when Chelsea appeared close to getting a deal over the line. Few would have predicted back then that he might eventually join them on a free transfer.
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