It’s no secret that Chelsea are looking for a new striker this summer.
The Blues have worked quietly behind the scenes and tried to hit a blockbuster deal to get an undisputed superstar to Stamford Bridge, and there are some candidates for the role.
Let’s take a look at what alternative Chelsea should go for.
Kalajdzic is seen as a cheaper alternative / Christian Kaspar-Bartke / Getty Images
Let’s not act like 16 goals in 33 Bundesliga matches is not an impressive comeback from Sasa Kalajdzic, but Chelsea fans will want much more than that from any striker running up the bridge this summer.
Kalajdzic had a fantastic breakout year with Stuttgart, which turned out to be one of the biggest air threats in Europe (a cause helped by the fact that he is 6’7), but he has not yet made the high splash that Chelsea are looking for.
A few years later, Kalajdzic may be a popular target if his target numbers are steady, but at the moment he must be far down the goal list.
Ings is a reliable fallback / Robin Jones / Getty Images
He is far from the most glamorous striker, but at the end of the day, Danny Ings is a reliable source of Premier League goals available for a decent fee.
When Ings wants to leave Southampton this summer, fans from many clubs have been divided on whether he would be a good signing. The overwhelming answer is something like: ‘yes yes, probably, but …’
The 29-year-old is the perfect backup if Chelsea can not pull off his bigger plans, but the interest in him should not be greater than that.
Kane is a proven scorer / Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
If you want guaranteed Premier League goals, Harry Kane is your man. Unfortunately, it would be almost impossible to sign him.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is prepared to demand over 100 million pounds (and probably over 150 million pounds) to separate from his talisman, and that is not an ideal fee for a player who is days away from turning 28.
If Chelsea can find that kind of money, there are other goals that feel more realistic.
Lukaku may be keen to return to Chelsea / Marco Canoniero / Getty Images
Chelsea may not have to work too hard to convince Romelu Lukaku to return to the club. We have all seen the video of him close to tears during his first visit to the bridge, and he will definitely feel like he has unfinished business at Chelsea.
Inter have turned Lukaku into the dominant goal scorer we all knew he was meant to be, and he finally looks set to have recovered from the funk that engulfed him at Manchester United. He can play at the highest levels again.
He would probably be available for a little cheaper than Kane, although Chelsea would still pay over £ 100 million to land Lukaku.
Lewandowski is as elite as they come / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Robert Lewandowski does not fit the typical form of Chelsea signings. He is a month shy of his 33rd birthday and would cost a hefty sum to attract from Bayern Munich.
With that said, this is Robert Lewandowski we’re talking about.
The best striker on the planet right now, Lewandowski probably still has a few years left on top of his game, and although he may be expensive – a fee of £ 50 million has been suggested – it’s nothing compared to the type of values being turned on. Chelsea’s second goal.
Chelsea focuses on Haaland / Matthias Hangst / Getty Images
There is a good reason why Erling Haaland has been Chelsea’s highest priority this summer. The chances of signing players on his side do not come too often.
The 21-year-old has been scoring goals at a historic pace for a few years now and looks set to hold it for at least a decade. He is the kind of statement you can expect from Chelsea after their Champions League victory.
Convincing Dortmund to sell will not be easy – even £ 150 million may not do the job – but Chelsea must do everything possible to land the Norwegian while they have a clear run on him.
