Chelsea are in the market for a new striker ahead of next season and could rival Arsenal for at least one of their prospects. objectives to strengthen forward.
The Blues have improved significantly since last season but still lack a prolific 'number nine', with Diego Costa in 2016/17 the last centre-forward to reach 20 Premier League goals.
Nicolas Jackson hit a respectable 14 in 2023/24 and has another nine just over halfway through this campaign. But the Senegal representative has not scored since before Christmas and scored Barely featured in Monday night's win over Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
The Times notes that Chelsea are “considering” Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic after already speaking to the Serie A giants about the possibility of them signing the disgruntled Renato Veiga.
Vlahovic has 12 goals in all competitions so far this season, making him Juventus' top scorer by some margin. But his time in Turin since an €80m move from Fiorentina three years ago has been a rollercoaster, with Randal Kolo Muani soon expected to join on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
By selling the Serbian international ahead of next season, a cash-conscious Juventus could also avoid a contracted wage rise starting in the summer, when he is already their main earner.
Arsenal were keen on Vlahovic in January 2022 and lost out to Juventus. But even though the Gunners have yet to land a proper striker, The Times adds that they are not after him now.
Another striker Arsenal are expected to pursue, however, is Benjamin Sesko. The RB Leipzig forward signed a new long-term contract with a pay rise last summer, but with understanding that he would be allowed to move in 2025.
Arsenal's interest in the Slovenian is strong and it has already been rumored in recent days that they could speed up an approach for him given the loss of Gabriel Jesus to injury. The problem for them could be that Chelsea are also believed to be under the watch of Sesko.
Sky Sport CH writes that the Blues have recently initiated contact with RB Leipzig, having already been in contact with the player's representatives, but their aim would be to complete a summer transfer rather than Sesko moving to London now. Leipzig would be sold for a fee of €80m (£68m).