ROMELU LUKAKU’S stunning outburst admitting he is ‘unhappy’ at Chelsea could force the Blues to dip into the transfer market for a new forward.
Thomas Tuchel has been left rocked by Lukaku’s admission, and has confirmed that showdown talks with the £97.5million summer signing are on the cards.
And those talks could result in Lukaku pushing for an exit, just six months after joining, with the Belgian international stating his desire to return to Inter.
Should that be the case Chelsea will be tempted break the bank once again on a marquee signing up front.
Timo Werner is still yet to find top gear, and has been utilised in a wide role by Tuchel.
Kai Havertz has been employed as a false nine, but an out-and-out striker will be needed in the event of Lukaku’s departure.
Here SunSport take a look at just who the Blues could target in January, with the transfer window opening tomorrow.
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Erling Haaland
The 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund ace is reportedly available for as little as £64million in the summer due to a bargain release clause.
But if Lukaku is moved on in January the Blues could be tempted to shell out on Haaland early in a bid to avoid the competition for his signature in the summer.
Tuchel previously sent Chelsea fans into meltdown by confirming interest in Haaland.
He revealed that Haaland and Lukaku could play together, but with the latter unhappy the Blues could actually look to replace him with goal machine Haaland.
Harry Kane
Chelsea were linked with a move for Kane, 28, in the summer, before Manchester City emerged as frontrunners.
Kane was reportedly one of two options for Chelsea, the other being Lukaku.
So if the Belgian frontman moves on, Tuchel could come back in for the England skipper.
Dusan Vlahovic
Vlahovic is another that has sparked interest from a host of Europe’s top clubs.
And the 21-year-old Serbian star has rejected a record contract offer from current club Fiorentina, and could be on the move as early as January.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham have all been linked, and Chelsea too could throw their hat into the ring for a striker who recently equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 33 Serie A goals in a calendar year.
Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski was reportedly ‘ready’ to sign for Chelsea in the summer, but the Blues did not pursue a move for the Bayern Munich frontman.
The 33-year-old is claimed to be after a new challenge after almost eight years with Bayern.
He has less than 18 months left on his current Bayern Deal, and could once again look to push for a move in January.
With 30 goals in just 25 games this campaign Lewandwoski is proving he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Edinson Cavani
Cavani penned a one-year extension with Manchester United in the summer, but is unlikely to renew again in six months time.
It means he’s a free agent in the summer, so United could look to cash in and accept a cut-price fee for the 34-year-old veteran while they still can.
This one has shades of Radamel Falcao to it, as the striker joined Chelsea just a season after spending time at Old Trafford.
And Cavani could potentially offer a short-term solution from January until the summer in the case of Lukaku’s departure, before a more permanent signing is made in the summer.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk