Chelsea focus on three striker targets after change in transfer strategy | OneFootball

Chelsea are no longer looking to spend big on a new elite-level striker this summer and are instead focusing on younger deputies to Nicolas Jackson, a report claims.

Finding a new striker was the top priority last summer and Chelsea were negotiating with Napoli over Victor Osimhen until the final hours of the transfer window, only to end up walking away without a new forward.

The Blues remain linked with Osimhen and a number of big-name alternatives, including Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, but Sky Sports state Chelsea are now looking to move in a different direction.

Having been impressed by Jackson, who has nine goals and five assists in the Premier League this season, it is claimed that Chelsea are not looking to splash out on a player who will replace the Senegal international, but rather recruit a younger forward who can act as competition.

Ipswich Town's Liam Delap is known to be a key target and the report also names RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Lille's Jonathan David as alternative options.

Delap is a key target / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Delap and Sesko are named as "prominent targets" by The Guardian, with Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen also on the radar.

From a financial perspective, David would be a smart acquisition as he can be signed on a free transfer when he departs Lille this summer, while 22-year-old Delap could be a smart piece of business if reports from Mail Sport about a relegation release clause of £40m are correct.

Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League is not yet certain, but Kieran McKenna's side sit 12 points adrift with just seven games to play, having fallen to a costly defeat against 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.

Sesko, who wants to move to the Premier League, is comfortably the most expensive option on Chelsea's list. A release clause of €70m (£59.8m) could become €80m (£68.3m) based on his performances between now and the end of the season, although it has been suggested offers of €70m could be accepted regardless.