16 January 2024 , 11:57
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Chelsea are rarely far removed from being linked to a lavish transfer and have only increased that reputation in the 18 months of Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly ownership.
The Blues have twice spent in excess of £100million in landing Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in consecutive windows, while the £1billion spend since the summer of 2022 hangs around the club's neck like an albatross.
The west London side have no intention this month of repeating the kind of window that saw their squad become bloated 12 months ago. There remains interest in the possibility of landing an elite forward but the club also hope to take stock and find some stability after an execeptionally busy summer.
The absence of Nicolas Jackson due to AFCON and Christopher Nkunku's injuries have increased scrutiny over the position with Mauricio Pochettino hopeful his team can find a clinical edge to improve their form. Chelsea are just three goals behind their Premier League tally from the whole of last term but still look to require an extra push against defensively disciplined sides.
Both Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney have been among the names connected to the club, though a move for either is perhaps more likely come at the end of the season. Viktor Gyokeres is another name who has been touted for a move to Chelsea.
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However, Mirror Football understands that the latter is not a target at this time, despite reports from Portugal suggesting a £73m bid has been rejected. There had been some suggestion Gyokeres had been on the club's radar with the Blues tempted by an imposing striker to lighten the responsibility on the likes of Jackson and Armando Broja, but no move is imminent.
Any deal for the forward would indicate a familiar pitfall the Blues have fallen into over the last 12 months.
Gyokeres completed a transfer to Sporting from Coventry City for around £17m in the summer, with the Sky Blues said to be owed up to 15 per cent of any future transfer fee for the 25-year-old. While the deal signalled a record fee for the Portuguese side, it is a figure well below what the Blues footed up for Jackson.
Viktor Gyokeres has been in exceptional form for Sporting Lisbon (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)Having stepped up from the Championship, Gyokeres has netted 20 goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances in the Primeira Liga. The striker is believed to have a release clause in the region of £86m.
A chase for the forward would bring about a case of Deja vu for Chelsea. Just 12 months ago the Blues appeared to walk away from a deal for Enzo Fernandez after difficult negotiations before returning to stump up a club-record £106.7million. The Argentina international had not even been at the club for six months after completing a transfer worth up to £15.5million with add-ons.
Chelsea's ambition has been to sign players earlier in their progression, with the Blues signing a number of young stars in the last 12 months. The likes of Andrey Santos, Kendry Paez and Angelo Gabriel among a whole host of others have been acquired with the hope they develop into first teams stars, or players who have significant resale value should that be the preferred avenue.
However, there is an understanding the Blues will either land a new, elite striker within the next two windows or the combination of Nkunku, Broja and Jackson will prove itself capable of delivering enough goals consistently.
Pochettino made clear following his side's win over Fulham that he had not claimed that Chelsea were in the market for a forward. Though he hinted he hoped the club would be prepared to move if required.
He said: "I never said we need a centre-forward. After that create a problem with my people. I didn't say that yesterday that we need. I said we are working like other clubs. Trying to assess and see the market and all of the situations that can appear. Most important is the club is ready to act in one or another direction. I never said we need to add another player."