Chelsea set to rival Liverpool for highly-rated Belgian forward
Chelsea have been linked with a number of forwards this summer as they look to add some goal-scoring depth in the final third, after a somewhat inconsistent campaign as far as finding the back of the net was concerned.
Caught Offside has claimed that they are interested in PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko and will face stiff competition for him from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool for his signature.
The 21-year-old’s transfer to West London may be subject to Raheem Sterling’s future at the club amid interest from the Saudi Pro League in the former Manchester City superstar.
They need to sell players beforehand to balance their books ahead of next season and also mitigate the risk of breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
Although Chelsea can provide Bakayoko with a starting berth, Arsenal and Liverpool are likely to hold the advantage in the race for the Belgian international as they are both going to play in the Champions League next season.
Mikel Arteta wants to add a back-up for Bukayo Saka and sees Bakayoko as an ideal target, whereas Liverpool could first await decisions regarding Mohamed Salah’s and Luis Diaz’s futures before committing to a new winger’s transfer.
Moreover, while Bakayoko is an excellent winger who is capable of contributing in front of goal, it is questionable whether Chelsea would actually be in a position to pay north of €50 million for him this summer.
Maresca may also be more interested in signing a centre-forward as opposed to a winger, and if at all a number nine’s signing costs on the expensive side, Chelsea’s chances of bringing in an out-wide option at least this year can start to be discounted.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Estevao Willian have already arrived as Maresca’s first two signings and it will be exciting to see what more the Londoners have in store in the ongoing transfer window.
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