Chelsea identify second striker transfer after Liam Delap as two stars prepare to exit

Chelsea identify second striker transfer after Liam Delap as two stars prepare to exit Newspoint | 2025-06-01 07:39:22

are expected to explore signing a second striker after completing a £30million deal to bring Liam Delap to Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca's side, with the forward set to undergo a medical on Monday.

Delap, 22, signed for Ipswich in a £15m plus add-ons deal from Manchester City last summer and scored 12 times during a breakthrough season in the Premier League. But now, less than 12 months since his move to Portman Road, the former Hull City loanee is set for another move.

And the Blues want to add at least one more centre forward in the summer transfer window. The UEFA Conference League winners are continuing to 'monitor the No.9 market for opportunities', according to , and

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Karl Mwalako Buchmann, Ekitike's representative, is anticipated to speak to Chelsea about the potential of him moving to Chelsea. The Frenchman has enjoyed a fine first full season at Frankfurt following his £13.9m transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, having netted 22 times in 48 appearances.

Frankfurt are said to want £84m to sanction Ekitike's departure, with Manchester United and Liverpool among the others interested in signing him. He has four years left on his current contract at the Bundesliga club.

Speaking earlier this month, former Frankfurt CEO and current board member, Axel Hellmann, confirmed there was Premier League interest in Ekitike. He said: "I would love to have him at Frankfurt for another ten years, if possible.

"But we are realistic. He is one of the best high-potential players in Europe at the moment and he is only 22. That means he has a great future. He is a clever guy. He loves to listen and learn. I would love him to stay another couple of years. But the market is the market and half of the Premier League clubs are interested in signing him."

Chelsea are also long-term admirers of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and have identified Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres as another target with Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku expected to leave the Blues this summer.

Maresca is keen to build on a positive first season in west London. The Blues finished fourth in the Premier League and booked their return to the Champions League, before winning the Conference League on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are also planning to sign a left winger this summer. Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is among the main names of interest but the Blues admirer Athletic Club's Nico Williams and have other targets on their radar having previously eyed Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho in January.