Chelsea and Arsenal Battle for Top Striker Targets

Chelsea Eyeing Striker Reinforcements

Chelsea are actively seeking a new striker to address their lack of firepower up front. Despite notable improvement since last season, the Blues are still without a prolific number nine, with the last such player being Diego Costa, who netted 20 Premier League goals in the 2016/17 season.

Nicolas Jackson, who scored 14 goals in the 2023/24 campaign, has managed nine so far this season but hasn’t scored since before Christmas. His lack of involvement during Chelsea’s recent win over Wolves has prompted the club to explore upgrades in the attacking department.

One name on Chelsea’s radar is Dusan Vlahovic, the Juventus striker who has been a standout performer this season with 12 goals in all competitions. Chelsea have reportedly initiated talks with Juventus regarding Vlahovic, alongside discussions about the unsettled Renato Veiga.

Dusan Vlahovic’s Situation at Juventus

Vlahovic, who joined Juventus for €80m three years ago, has had a mixed stint in Turin. Despite being the club’s top scorer, his future at Juventus is uncertain. Selling him could help Juventus avoid an impending pay rise in his contract while raising funds for other needs.

Arsenal’s Striker Ambitions: Benjamin Sesko in Focus

Arsenal, meanwhile, are closely monitoring Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig forward. The Gunners, who lost Gabriel Jesus to injury, are considering accelerating their plans for Sesko, even though he signed a long-term contract with Leipzig last summer.

Chelsea have also expressed interest in Sesko, having initiated contact with both Leipzig and the player’s representatives. Leipzig are open to selling for a reported €80m (£68m), but only for a summer transfer, which aligns with Chelsea’s timeline.

Potential Arsenal and Chelsea Transfers in the Summer

While Arsenal had pursued Vlahovic in 2022, they are no longer targeting the Serbian striker. Instead, the focus for both clubs may intensify on Sesko as they prepare for next season, setting the stage for a potential bidding war between two Premier League rivals.