Chelsea faced a mild blow in their pursuit of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata as the La Liga sensation expressed his unawareness of any such interest from the London side. The Blues have been heavily linked with the 24-year-old, with numerous reports claiming that the club can land him for £70 million.
However, Morata stated recently, “If Conte is continuing to call me then it will be my old mobile phone because nothing has come to me.”
It surely makes it clouded on Chelsea’s front and with the club considering many others for the striker’s role, here are the alternatives they could go for-
Romelu Lukaku- If there is a remote possibility of a new forward coming in at Stamford Bridge at the end of the current season, then the Everton talisman tops the list. The Belgian has been phenomenal this season for the Toffees scoring 23 goals in the league and leading the list of highest scorers.
His physique, style of play, ball control and clinical finishing makes him a deadly centre-forward to have in the Premier League. And with the likes of Hazard, Willian, Pedro and Fabregas lining up behind him to provide the ball, Chelsea have a better candidate than Diego Costa in him. The best thing is, the 23-year-old is eager to join the Blues in search of top level football.
Despite having one of the best seasons under new boss, Ronald Koeman, Everton are in danger of losing some of their best talents in the upcoming transfer window. The Merseyside club has failed to negotiate a contract extension with the player, and there is a good chance of them selling him now.
Fernando Llorente- Another brilliant target man on the list, the Spaniard has enjoyed a pleasantly surprising season with the South Wales club right at the dusk of his career. Another centre-forward by nature, who has brilliant close control and technique and possesses the most sublime of skills inside the D-box, Llorente could be a perfect back-up if Chelsea manages to keep Diego Costa next season.
Michy Batshuayi hasn’t been the best of player to have on hold for that role and Conte is expected to dispose of him coming summer. The Italian has managed Llorente earlier during their stint with the Serie A defending champions, Juventus, and knows the player inside out. A winter move could not happen as Swansea City were desperate to hold on to his services with the club struggling to survive relegation. However, retaining him would be difficult after the season ends.
Andrea Belotti- A hotshot in the summer transfer market, the Italian international has earned some rave reviews from Serie A in his ongoing stint with Torino. Only 23, Belotti could be a level up for Chelsea in the attacking third. However, landing him would require Chelsea to splash enormous cash as European super giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and more are after him.
A scenario where he comes in would surely mean some huge names departing from Stamford Bridge.
