Chelsea look set to secure their seventh signing of the summer with a deal to bring in goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. The Villarreal ace is set to sign a £21million deal, which could see either Djordje Petrovic or Robert Sanchez leave the club this summer.
Jorgensen only signed a new contract at the Spanish side last month, but has emerged as a major Chelsea transfer target. The Blues scouted the 22-year-old last summer ahead of a potential move and are set to complete the deal this time around under new head coach Enzo Maresca.
Jorgensen would join Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, Omari Kellyman, Caleb Wiley and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as new signings at Stamford Bridge. But would the Blues be done there?
Once again they are making big moves in the transfer window and there are plenty of other names linked with a move to west London. But who should be the next signing? We asked football.london writers to have their say.
Lee Wilmot
Chelsea have, unsurprisingly, made waves in the transfer window. But without really addressing one of the biggest issues in their squad – up front.
Nicolas Jackson was relied upon too heavily last season, when it should have really been a settling in season for a young striker. Christopher Nkunku’s pre-season injury did not help matters.
But even when you factor in those two and the signing of young Marc Guiu, you’ve got to think they would want another forward option in the summer transfer window.
One player that has been linked with a number of clubs, but then fallen down the pecking order in terms of interest, is Ivan Toney. Premier League proven he would be the ideal signing for Chelsea. And with just one year left on his Brentford contract, would come cheaper than previously too.
Sam Truelove
Chelsea have, like always under Todd Boehly’s leadership, been busy this transfer window. With around five weeks until the August 30 deadline, there’s still plenty of deals to get done.
It’s pretty clear Chelsea need a striker and Ivan Toney would be my pick. He’s full of quality, can link up play and will score plenty of goals. He will be available for a decent fee given his contract status at Brentford so it seems a deal which should be done sooner rather than later.
football.london has reported that the Blues are keen on Samu Omorodion, although at the age of 20 it’s unclear just how good he can be. Signing the Atletico Madrid man would fit into the recent transfer philosophy of buying young players with bags of potential, however, but is Omorodion an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson? I’m not too sure.
Liam Wood
Chelsea have splashed out nearly £1billion since Boehly stepped into the boardroom at Stamford Bridge and one marquee addition this summer will almost-certainly take that spend beyond the nine-figure mark. And there’s not too much clout to argue against England international Toney being that man.
One way or another, a switch elsewhere in London could be on the cards for the 28-year-old this summer. Had it not been for an eight-month ban, his big move might have already happened by now.
Toney is exactly what Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are looking for. He also comes Premier League proven and, with just 12 months left to run on his contract, there is less scope for Brentford to play hard ball over his fee and it makes the ex-Peterborough United striker a strong option all-told.
He might be the player to properly complement Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku and others up top.
Josh Holland
As has already been mentioned before you’ve got to me, Chelsea’s problems in the centre-forward position are set to be a problem for Enzo Maresca. After Mauricio Pochettino suffered with it, the Blues can’t allow any manager to be without a prolific goalscorer.
Who they go for, however, is becoming a problem. Do they go all out to sign Victor Osimhen and break the bank for the Napoli striker? Do they take a risk on someone like Viktor Gyokeres? Or do they take Ivan Toney off Brentford’s hands?
Whatever avenue they decide to go down, they need to sign a striker. I’ve got high hopes for Christopher Nkunku this year after an injury-hit debut season in London but there’s a strong indication that he’s better behind the centre-forward.
A striker whose primary job is to score goals should be Maresca’s priority.
Kieran Horn
With Chelsea on the verge of wrapping up their eighth summer transfer that will see Filip Jorgensen join, exactly where else the club need to strengthen is clear.
A striker transfer would be a bit of a luxury at this point of the window and with the options available all being at a premium, it would also not be worthwhile. Strengthening in attack should still be the aim but just in a slightly different area of the pitch.
Though Chelsea have a number of talented wingers at the club, to fit Enzo Maresca’s system, a very specific type of wide player is needed. Nico Williams would absolutely be the dream signing as a pacey winger capable of beating his man and also contributing in front of goal.
With Barcelona pushing to sign the Spain international from Athletic Bilbao, the Blues may have to look elsewhere and PSV’s Johan Bakayoko could be the perfect alternative.
Matt Abbott
Signing a striker is imperative this summer, but that is not to say a new centre-forward should be the next player Chelsea sign. The Blues have been credited with an interest in dozens of options up front, suggesting that there is not necessarily a rush to narrow down their search to one name.
Samu Omorodion is someone the club are understood to be keen on, but recruiting the player at this stage seems far from straightforward. Conversely, time is of the essence if Chelsea wants Nico Williams.
Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain are said to be pursuing the winger this summer, with a release clause of around £50million appearing to make a move more feasible than for Omorodion. Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club want to keep their players, with the latter seemingly pushing Williams to decide his future in the coming days.
Agents fees and wages would take any deal well north of £50million, but BlueCo does not shy away from paying the former, spending more than any other Premier League club last season. Williams’ reported wage demands would make him one of, but likely not the highest-paid player at the club, and Romelu Lukaku departing free up some funds.
Jack Flintham
Chelsea have been quick to act in this summer transfer window which has been pleasing to see. There is also a clear profile which the Blues have targeted for their squad and you can’t see them deviating from that path any time soon.
In my opinion, the logical next move for Enzo Maresca’s recruitment team is to focus on a new centre-forward. Nicolas Jackson was clearly burdened by the pressure on his shoulders last season and a proven goalscorer would be welcomed by all at Stamford Bridge.
As much as he is a budget stretcher, in an ideal world a move for Victor Osimhen would be perfect. The Napoli striker has shown what he can do and a move to the Premier League would be enticing for the Nigerian.
A question mark surrounds how much Chelsea would need to spend to bring Osimhen to the club but the longer he goes without moving, the more desperate Napoli are bound to become. Reports suggest the Italian club needs to sell Osimhen in order to complete their summer business and with the new season looming, they may not be able to receive the £113m release clause inserted into his contract.
It would be worth going in at a cut price now and seeing if Chelsea can snap up a bargain to help complete their attack.
