Chelsea Explores Striker Options Amid Injury Concerns
Chelsea has initiated discussions with Sporting CP regarding striker Conrad Harder while also requesting Bayern Munich to submit a permanent offer for Nicolas Jackson.
On Saturday, Chelsea retracted permission for Jackson, 24, to undergo a medical examination with Bayern for an initial loan deal valued at £13 million, shortly after Liam Delap sustained a hamstring injury.
Following Delap's injury during the 2-0 victory over Fulham, Chelsea reached out to Harder and Sporting to explore the possibility of a transfer.
As of Sunday, Jackson remained in Germany and is eager to leave Stamford Bridge. However, due to the recent developments, Bayern is being asked to renegotiate for a permanent transfer to facilitate the acquisition of a new striker for Chelsea.
What are Chelsea's Striker Options?
Acquiring Harder and offloading Jackson is the preferred strategy among three potential scenarios, as manager Enzo Maresca is concerned that Delap may be sidelined for "six to eight weeks."
Any transaction will depend on both clubs agreeing on a fee and persuading the 20-year-old Danish international, who has one cap, to join Chelsea and compete with two other strikers.
Alternatively, Chelsea could consider recalling Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland, although this would necessitate an agreement between the two clubs.
There is also a chance that Chelsea may instruct Jackson to return to London.
The transfer window is set to close at 19:00 BST on Monday, with Brighton's Facundo Buonanotte also expected to join Chelsea on a season-long loan.
Prior to Delap's injury, Chelsea had also submitted an offer for Barcelona forward Fermin Lopez on Saturday.
Additionally, the club is prioritizing the offloading of several remaining 'bomb squad' members, including Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, and David Datro Fofana.