OPINION
Chelsea will still be reeling on Friday after Manchester United sideswiped them with a £75million bid for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku – but they have a plan to recruit another prolific forward with a target list reportedly drawn up.
The Blues had been firm favourites to secure the signing of the big Belgian but Thursday saw their Premier League rivals hijack their move and reportedly agree a huge deal with the Toffees, leaving Antonio Conte’s side trailing in their dust, with a medical arranged overnight.
The news will have felt like a kick in the teeth for the Italian manager, who would have been hoping to secure the services of last season’s second top scorer, having hit an impressive 25 goals in the Premier League.
With Diego Costa having firmly fallen out of favour with Conte, and set to depart this summer, the Blues look set to have Michy Batshuayi as their sole striking option if they choose not to recruit a fellow forward.
However, the young Belgian striker has just 20 top flight appearances to his name, and it is unlikely that Conte would rely on that lack of experience to fire his side to defending their Premier League title in the upcoming campaign.
The Telegraph has named four targets that the Blues’ manager is now considering making a mega-money move to sign in the remaining weeks of this summer’s window, as he looks to bolster their attack.
Here, This is Futbol profiles each of the forwards, including a former Liverpool striker who would represent a sensational signing: