According to French publication Le 10 Sport (h/t Metro), Chelsea are in discussions to sign Lille striker Jonathan Ikone.
The 22-year-old scored four goals and seven assists in 36 appearances for Les Dogues before the French domestic season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ikone came through the PSG academy. He spent eight seasons with the French champions and made seven appearances. He failed to find the net even once and was out on loan at SC Montpellier from 2016-18.
He eventually joined Lille in 2018 on a five-year deal. It has proven to be an inspired decision with him since making 77 appearances while making 24 goal contributions.
Ikone’s impressive performances earned him his first call-up to the France national side in September 2019
and the attacker has since earned four caps under Didier Deschamps. He ensured it was a night to remember as he came off the bench to score in a 4-1 win over Albania.
Given the quality in the French ranks, it is no mean feat for him to be included. Ikone has so far won a total of four caps for the national side.
Interest in the player is high, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also keeping tabs. However, neither are in a position to offer him top-level European football next season.
The stiffest competition is likely to come from a former Blue-Antonio Conte. The Italian now at Inter Milan is keen to take the young striker to the San Siro.
According to the report, Lille have not yet received an offer for the player. They are, however, taking both Chelsea’s and Inter’s interests seriously.
It has also been suggested that Ikone could be an alternative to German sensation Kai Havertz. Ikone has played against us this season in the Champions League. He showed enough promise although seemed to be lacking in the end product.
Chelsea have already brought in Timo Werner. The likes of Tammy Abraham still has ways to go while Michy Batshuayi looks done at the club.
Olivier Giroud has been in sensational form and only recently penned a one-year extension. Chelsea will do well to bring in Ikone next summer for when Giroud’s contract runs out.
Replacing one Frenchman with another has an elegant feel to it. Not only would Lille be happy to keep hold of their star but also give the player enough playing time, with the Euros due next summer.
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