Chelsea have been actively on the hunt for a new striker over the last couple of years, looking to add another dimension to Enzo Maresca’s front line as a result.
However, the hierarchy have still been unable to provide the Italian with the star he needs at the top end of the pitch, which could see the club potentially miss out on a top five place in the Premier League.
Their hunt isn’t through a lack of trying, with the hierarchy splashing over £1.3b on new additions since May 2022, handing the boss the tools needed for success.
This summer could be the perfect time for a new striker to arrive, making the side a completely different beast in their pursuit of returning to top-flight glory.
With the summer window just around the corner, numerous names have already been touted with switches to Stamford Bridge, many of which have previously been on the club’s radar.
The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new striker this summer
At this point, there are very few elite-level strikers who haven’t been touted with a move to join Chelsea, with the hierarchy targeting the best options for Maresca in the market.
Victor Osimhen is one player who’s been on the radar for a number of years now, with former Blue John Obi Mikel claiming that the Nigerian wants to join the club ahead of 2025/26.
No progress has been made despite such comments, but there has been movement over a potential deal for Celtic’s star man Daizen Maeda, according to TBR.
The report claims the 27-year-old has been scouted by the Blues on multiple occasions this season, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham also in the race for his signature.
It also goes on to state that the Japanese international is currently under contract until the summer of 2027, with the Scottish champions demanding £25m to part ways this summer.
Why Chelsea’s £25m target would be better than Jackson
Nicolas Jackson has been Chelsea’s number one option at centre-forward over the last two years after joining the club from Spanish side Villarreal back in 2023.
The Senegalese international has registered 31 goals in his 76 appearances for the Blues, with his latest two coming in the Europa Conference League triumph over Swedish side Djurgarden.
However, it hasn’t been all plain sailing for the 23-year-old, struggling with injuries throughout the last few months, resulting in a spell on the sidelines which left Maresca without a recognised striker.
Despite his tally of 12 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, the manager evidently wants a more clinical option in the final third, leading to links around Celtic talisman Maeda.
The Japanese star has scored 33 times during the current season, outscoring both Jackson and fellow transfer target Osimhen, having the tools to thrive in the Premier League.
When comparing his stats to those of the current Chelsea forward, he’s massively outperformed him to date, subsequently offering the manager the added threat he desires in attacking areas.
Maeda, who’s been labelled a “physical beast” by one of his coaches, has managed more combined goals and assists – handing the club the added attacking threat they need to take them to the next level.
Games played
31
28
Goals & assists
25
15
Pass accuracy
83%
76%
Chances created
1.6
1.1
Dribble success rate
43%
37%
Aerials won
40%
35%
Touches in opposition box
6.5
6.1
He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted to date, whilst creating more chances than Jackson, handing other players the opportunity around him to impress within the final third.
The Celtic’s star talents haven’t stopped just there, completing more of the dribbles and winning more aerials – subsequently handing Maresca an all-round option in the attacking third.
The £25m fee for his signature could well prove to be a bargain, having the tools to cement his place at the top end of the pitch and take the Blues to the next level.
However, given the interest from elsewhere for his signature, the hierarchy will need to act quickly to avoid missing out on a deal for him, finally ending their massive hunt for a new talisman.
109 touches, 98% passing: Chelsea may have found a bigger star than George
Chelsea now have one foot in the Europa Conference League final after a 4-1 win over Djurgården last night.
1 ByEthan LambMay 2, 2025
