Chelsea Transfer News: Blues lead race for exciting Joao Pedro alternative

Chelsea are reportedly in pole position for one of the German Bundesliga’s most exciting attacking talents.

The Blues have not flexed their financial muscle under new boss Liam Rosenior, but there have been plenty of big-money moves being floated around Stamford Bridge with the window still open until Monday evening.

Over the past few weeks, the likes of Fermin Lopez, Jeremy Jacquet and Mile Svilar have been linked, signalling that Chelsea are looking to improve all over the pitch.

And despite buying two strikers in the summer, there are reports that another centre-forward could be on the Blues’ shopping list.

According to Fichajes, Chelsea are hunting for a challenger to Joao Pedro and Liam Delap up top, and have highlighted Hoffenheim forward Fisnik Asllani as a more affordable target than the more established stars on their shortlist.

Asllani’s release clause, which has also turned Chelsea’s heads, is thought to be around €25-29m (£22-25m), as per journalist Florian Plettenberg, with the Blues now ‘leading the race’ for his signature.

With other attackers like Julian Alvarez and Endrick – both linked to Chelsea in recent weeks – thought to cost considerably more, you can see the appeal of the west Londoners pursuing Asllani.

The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at second-tier side Elversberg, who he almost steered to promotion by scoring 19 times in 35 league games, with the Saarland-based side falling in the relegation play-off against Heidenheim.

This season, the Kosovo international has enjoyed his time in the Hoffenheim first team, notching six goals in 18 matches as Die Kraichgauer challenge for a Champions League spot.

As far as Chelsea are concerned, some competition for Joao Pedro and Delap may be welcome, with neither taking the centre-forward role by the scruff of the neck since joining in the summer.

The Brazilian has had an up-and-down campaign thus far, scoring in back-to-back games on four separate occasions in the league, while he has also had some low points, most notably perhaps when getting sent off in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Delap has been injured for chunks of the campaign, though has had his moments – particularly against Barcelona in Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 win.

But having invested a combined £90m on their new-look strikeforce, you wouldn’t begrudge Blues officials for wanting more.

Whether Asllani is the answer is another matter, but he certainly looks like a natural goalscorer having continued last season’s form in the German top flight, and could perhaps be the wake-up call Chelsea’s existing stars need to get the most out of them.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.

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