Chelsea seem set to sign another forward this week to take their huge spending well over £1billion since Todd Boehly’s consortium bought the club in May 2022. However, the Blues appear unlikely to beat Tottenham to the signing of Nottingham Forest ace Brennan Johnson.
Johnson has been linked with a £50m switch to Spurs, leaving Chelsea scrambling to find an alternative target. Express Sport looks at who they might sign.
Bradley Barcola
Chelsea have been linked with Lyon starlet Bradley Barcola heading into the final week of the window. However, it has been claimed that the 20-year-old only has eyes for Paris Saint-Germain.
The Blues can of course persuade Barcola to change his mind. He would fit the profile of forward that Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign.
The Argentine made clear that he wants to sign a versatile attacker after Chelsea beat Luton 3-0 on Friday. Asked about his ideal signing, Pochettino admitted: “A different profile, can play striker or at the side or behind, we will see. In the next few days we will take some decisions.”
Taiwo Awoniyi
Another player who fits that profile is Taiwo Awoniyi. Chelsea have not been linked with the Nottingham Forest forward this summer but a pursuit of the in-form Nigerian feels like the kind of deal the Blues might want to strike in the final week of the window.
Awoniyi has scored nine goals in his last seven Premier League appearances, a run extending into last season. His excellent form helped Forest stay in the top-flight last term and looks set to see them enjoy a positive campaign in 2023-24.
That, though, relies on Forest keeping the 26-year-old beyond the deadline. Awoniyi would be a good addition to Chelsea’s team as a back-up for the three forward positions.
But Forest’s likely sale of Johnson to Spurs – as reported by Football London – may make them especially keen to keep their No 9.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1806648/Chelsea-transfer-Brennan-Johnson
