Chelsea have reportedly added RB Leipzig protege Benjamin Sesko to their list of potential striker targets for the January transfer window.
The Slovenia international made a name for himself with Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg during a successful four-year spell, notching 16 goals in 30 top-flight games during his final season with the club and apparently attracting interest from Manchester United.
Sesko had already agreed to join Leipzig in the summer of 2023 for £20.6m, though, as Man United turned their attention to Rasmus Hojlund instead.
Since touching down in Germany, the 6ft 4in centre-forward has only made three substitute appearances for Marco Rose's side, but he netted a late brace off the bench in a 3-0 win over Union Berlin last weekend.
Sesko has also come up with seven goals and five assists in 22 appearances for the senior Slovenia team, scoring once and setting up two more in Thursday's 4-2 Euro 2024 qualifying win against Northern Ireland.
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Sesko's contract at the Red Bull Arena does not expire until the summer of 2028, but the 2003-born starlet is already being linked with a lucrative move elsewhere, and GIVEMESPORT claims that Chelsea are weighing up a January swoop.
The Blues cut Kai Havertz, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku from their ranks this summer, although the former only joined Roma on loan and remains contracted to Chelsea until 2026.
In addition, David Datro Fofana left for Union Berlin on loan, allowing Mauricio Pochettino to bring in three new strikers in Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Deivid Washington.
However, Nkunku is currently sidelined with a serious knee injury - as is Armando Broja - while 18-year-old Washington is unlikely to earn regular first-team opportunities this season.
As a result, Jackson has acted as the focal point in Chelsea's opening four games and has impressed with his all-around play, but he has scored just once and has been guilty of missing a number of gilt-edged chances.
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Following news of Nkunku's injury, Pochettino confirmed that he would be open to adding another striker to the ranks over the summer, but the window slammed shut without another new number nine arriving.
The Blues could seek to address their woes in the final third in January, though, having been shut out at home by Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 loss to the Tricky Trees before the international break.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Brentford's Ivan Toney have also been touted as possible options, although the latter will not return from his lengthy betting ban until the middle of January.
Chelsea could also be quoted a fee of £80m to bring Toney to Stamford Bridge, while Villa would be expected to demand similar money to let Watkins depart in the middle of the campaign.
Chelsea sit 12th in the Premier League table - also their final ranking last season - with four points from their opening four fixtures and are back in action away to Bournemouth on September 17th.
Ben Knapton
