Chelsea 'identify Sasa Kalajdzic as a potential striker option this summer'

Chelsea are considering a move for Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, according to reports, as Thomas Tuchel's quest for a centre-forward continues.

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund star striker Erling Haaland, with Sportsmail revealing that the west Londoners' interest in the Norwegian forward dates back to March.

Chelsea reportedly had an opening player-plus-cash bid for Haaland rejected last week, which raises the possibility of the Premier League side looking elsewhere to boost their attacking options this summer.

And according to The Athletic, Austrian forward Kalajdzic is one of many back-up options the Blues can turn to should the Haaland deal fail to come to fruition.

The report also says Stuttgart are in no rush to sell the forward who netted 17 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions for the German side last season.

Meanwhile, Danny Ings - who has turned down a new four-year contract at Southampton to try and force through a move to a Big Six club - is also under consideration as a potential Chelsea striker target.

Kalajdzic's goals were crucial in Stuttgart's task of achieving a top-half Bundesliga finish last season - and the 24-year-old forward also took his form into the Austrian national team.

The striker has four goals in nine international appearances this calendar year, including a late consolation goal in the Euro 2020 last-16 as Austria went down to eventual champions Italy at Wembley last month.

The Blues are in need of a striker after Timo Werner and Kai Havertz both failed to live up to their respective £53million and £89m price tags, depsite Chelsea lifting the Champions League last season.

Werner ended his debut Premier League campaign with just six goals to his name, while Havertz netted just nine times in all competitions - though he did score the winner in the Champions League final win over Manchester City.

Meanwhile, veteran French forward Olivier Giroud completed a £1million move to AC Milan last week, while Tammy Abraham is not fancied by current Blues boss Tuchel.

The English forward has barely played for the Blues since the German coach's arrival earlier this year and has only featured twice for the Blues since the middle of February.

Abraham was also reportedly included as a player swap option in the opening bid for Haaland, according to Sky Sports Germany, with Callum Hudson-Odoi the other option Dortmund could have taken in exchange for their star asset.

Haaland netted 41 goals in 41 matches for Dortmund last season and his situation is also being monitored by Manchester City and Real Madrid this summer.

But Dortmund have remained defiant that the player wants to stay in Germany this season, with club director Sebastian Kehl describing Haaland as 'happy' and 'comfortable' at Dortmund.