Chelsea have reportedly submitted an opening bid for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres. Blues co-owner Todd Boehly is seemingly prepared to splash out on the Swede, but he may need to dig deeper into his pockets as the Portuguese giants are believed to have turned down the Londoners’ approach.
Christopher Nkunku was expected to be the solution to Chelsea’s attacking shortfalls this season, but the Frenchman has spent most of his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge sidelined through injury.
Stand-in forward Nicolas Jackson is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and while big things are expected of 22-year-old striker Armando Broja, he has only notched once in the Premier League this term.
According to Record, Chelsea have taken decisive action by submitting a £73million bid for Gyokeres. But Sporting are unwilling to play ball, having signalled that they will only let go of their star forward if the full value of his £86m release clause is met.
Gyokeres has scored and assisted at a remarkable rate during his debut season in Portugal, both in Europe and domestically, with 30 goal involvements in 24 matches across all competitions.
The 25-year-old earned his living in the Championship with Coventry City as recently as last season. Having joined Sporting in deal thought to be worth just over £20m, the league leaders could be about to turn a monster profit in the space of a few months.
Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino and his recruitment team are believed to have put together a shortlist of attacking targets this winter. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is believed to be high on the wish list, but his transfer fee would stretch into nine figures.
Ivan Toney seems set to stay at Brentford until at least the end of the season, while Roony Bardghji and Antonio Nusa – two teenage targets – may not have the necessary experience to make an impact straight away.
