Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing one of two young Premier League strikers at some point during 2025.
The Blues have reached the turn of the year with the third best attacking record in England's top flight with 38 goals being scored in 19 matches.
However, just one of those strikes have been netted in the last three games, Enzo Maresca's side going down by a 2-0 scoreline at Ipswich Town on Monday night.
As many as 21 of the 38 goals have come from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson. Maresca can be satisfied with the efforts of the latter who has nine goals and three assists from 18 Premier League appearances to his name.
Nevertheless, with Christopher Nkunku having failed to impress versus the Tractor Boys, it has become increasingly plausible that the Frenchman will not remain at Stamford Bridge in the long term.
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Chelsea ready to target youth?
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea's hierarchy have identified each of Liam Delap and Evan Ferguson as two forwards who they would like to add to the squad.
Interest in Ipswich forward Delap is no secret with Maresca having openly praised the Englishman in recent days, partly due to having worked with him during their time at Manchester City.
The 21-year-old now has seven goals and two assists from his 18 top-flight outings during 2024-25 and he put in a man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea on Monday.
While there is realistically no chance of Ipswich cashing in during the January transfer window, offers from Chelsea or other admirers are inevitable in the summer if he continues on his current trajectory.
Whether Ipswich accept may be dependent on if they remain in the Premier League, the current gap to safety now being just one point.
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More chance with Ferguson?
Brighton & Hove Albion have maintained that Evan Ferguson is not for sale despite featuring for just 219 minutes in the Premier League this season.
With a contract in place until 2029, Ferguson is tied to the Amex Stadium in the long term, but opportunities have been in short supply since the arrival of Fabian Hurzeler.
If the Seagulls keep to their alleged minimum asking price of £80m, Chelsea will likely look elsewhere, yet Brighton may reach a point where they choose to do business should Hurzeler continue to prefer other options.
Darren Plant
