Chelsea to accelerate striker search with £30m Delap key target

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Chelsea are expected to move quickly after Wednesday's Europa Conference League final to sign a new striker.

Senior executives have drawn up a shortlist of names which includes Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres.

Preliminary enquiries have been made to establish the availability of selected targets.

These contacts will be stepped up after Wednesday as a special early transfer window opens on Sunday for 10 days.

Chelsea will strengthen their squad before flying to the United States for their opening game in the Club World Cup in Atlanta on June 16.

Delap has a £30m release clause, which can be activated as Ipswich Town have been relegated from the Premier League.

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Speaking on the Transfer Talk podcast, Sam Tighe discusses what the future holds for Liam Delap

He fits the profile of striker Chelsea are looking for, and the overall cost of the deal - including wages - is another major consideration.

Chelsea's recruitment strategy is to sign young, developing players on long, incentivised contracts.

Delap is 22, has Premier League experience and worked with Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca and recruitment co-director Joe Shields at Manchester City.

Chelsea face competition from Manchester United and Newcastle United, who are also willing to pay Delap's release clause.

Chelsea need to sign another forward as Christopher Nkunku is likely to leave this summer.

Sky in Germany are reporting that Chelsea are in talks to sign 22-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt forward Ekitike.

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Take a look at all of Hugo Ekitike's goals and assists from the 2024/25 season as Chelsea show interest in signing the French striker from Eintracht Frankfurt.

They believe Chelsea are "putting in the most effort" to sign the player who is valued at €100m [£84m].

Liverpool are also said to be interested.

What to expect from Club World Cup transfer window

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The transfer window is opening earlier than usual this summer ahead of FIFA's newly expanded Club World Cup - but what can we expect?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Trent Alexander-Arnold could be among those on the move, with FIFA keen for its new-look tournament to have a star-studded cast in the United States.

Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City are competing with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.

So what transfers could happen for the tournament? Find out here...

Follow the transfer window on Sky Sports

The first of two summer transfer windows is upon us - and there is no better place than Sky Sports to get all the latest transfer news and rumours.

Use the Sky Sports app and website for all your updates on our dedicated Transfer Centre and Premier League club blogs plus live Q&As with our reporters throughout the summer.

The Transfer Show returns to Sky Sports News from Sunday June 1 for the start of the pre-Club World Cup window and will then be on every weeknight at 5pm and 7pm until the deadline on Tuesday June 10.

The summer transfer window will open again on Monday June 16 until Monday September 1 - with the deadline brought forward to 7pm this year.