CHELSEA have a five-man striker wishlist that includes Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen, according to reports.
But it is believed the club would have to rip up their wage structure to land a big-name forward.
Nicolas Jackson was signed in the summer but has struggled with just six goals in 15 league games.
Chelsea’s poor form from last season has continued under Mauricio Pochettino, who is keen to add more firepower up-front.
The Blues are 12th in the Premier League and already 14 points off the top four, and failing to qualify for the Champions League means they may have to increase their salary offer to land the targets they want.
Chelsea have a long-term interest in Napoli striker Osimhen while Toney is another player they are monitoring.
READ MORE ON CHELSEA
But a club source revealed to The Telegraph that both players would only be arriving for big money.
They said: “Chelsea are not going to qualify for Europe next season the way they’ve been going, so they would have to offer either Osimhen or Toney really big money. That’s not something they’ve been doing this year.”
The Blues have installed a policy of signing young players on relatively low wages – but on extremely long contracts.
However that is not something that would appeal to Toney, 27, and Osimhen, 24, who have already established themselves as top talents.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
In addition, there would be a huge transfer fee involved.
Brentford are keen to hold onto Toney who has also attracted interest from Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.
So Chelsea might have to bid around £100million to sign the Bees star, with Napoli likely to demand similar for Osimhen.
If the Blues are priced out of a move they could focus their attention on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokores, who has scored 15 goals in 18 games since his summer move from Coventry.
The Guardian report Chelsea have been scouting the Swede so could launch a move for him when the transfer window re-opens.
While Todd Boehly could also fund a move for Copenhagen striker Roony Bardghji or Club Brugge teenager Antonio Nusa, according to the Evening Standard.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
