Chelsea identify second striker target after Liam Delap as 2 stars head for exit

Chelsea are in the process of finalising the £30million signing of Liam Delap but the Blues are also chasing a left-winger and there could yet be further arrivals in attack

Chelsea will explore the signing of a second striker - despite already pulling off a major early coup by agreeing terms with £30million Liam Delap. The UEFA Conference League winners are continuing to monitor the forward market for opportunities, although they're now prioritising the capture of a left-winger.

The Blues are expected to hold talks with Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward Hugo Ekitike's agent Karl Mwalako Buchmann over the course of the next week.

Chelsea are also long-term admirers of Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko and have tracked Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres with Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku both expected to depart west London this summer.

There is also optimism Delap could yet feature for Chelsea at the Club World Cup over the U21 European Championships with England. The 22-year-old is poised to undergo his medical on Monday after snubbing interest from the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle, Everton and Nottingham Forest and should there be no late hitches, he would technically be available for this summer's tournament in the United States because Chelsea are not obliged to release him for the U21 Euros as per FIFA rules. Nicolas Jackson remains a firm part of Enzo Maresca's plans, however, the Senegal international now has a fight on his hands to remain the club's first-choice No.9 next season.

Various suitors from Europe have made exploratory checks on Jackson's availability in recent months via his reps but currently, he's expected to stay put after penning a new two-year contract last September.

Maresca has previously stated that he also believes Jackson has the tools to play from the left flank if required but Chelsea are keen to continue building a competitive squad after securing Champions League qualification. Ekitike is viewed as an interesting prospect with huge potential by both Chelsea and Liverpool but Eintracht Frankfurt are currently commanding a bumper package worth up to £84m (€100m) and it's currently unlikely any club will reach that figure.

Brighton's Joao Pedro is not thought to be a name of serious interest at this stage despite being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge while Ipswich are showing loan interest in Marc Guiu, who is rated very highly internally at Chelsea. Meanwhile, the Blues are currently negotiating with Jadon Sancho as they would be open to triggering his £25m buy-out clause following his loan spell from Manchester United. Chelsea would have to pay a £5m penalty clause to send him back to Old Trafford, however, Sancho would likely be required to take a pay-cut if he is to seal a permanent switch to Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea hierarchy plan to recruit a left-winger regardless of Sancho's situation as Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended. Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is among the key names of interest but Chelsea are also long-term admirers of Athletic Club's Nico Williams and have other targets on their radar having previously looked at Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho in January.