Chelsea have spent a lot of money since American owner Todd Boly joined the board. His spending spree last summer is fast approaching £1bn as the Premier League giants make moves in the January transfer window.
A new striker remains at the top of the list, but Chelsea are not alone in the market, rivals such as Arsenal and Manchester United will be keen to bolster their attacking options and, after all, prolific strikers rarely come cheap.
Brentford star Ivan Toney and Brighton hope Evan Ferguson is their two options, but there are other suitors who don’t have to break the bank. Here, football.london takes a closer look at three names to add to the list of alternative candidates.
Santiago Jimenez: Feyenoord got a gem 18 months ago when they signed the Argentine-born Mexican from Cruz Azul. Jimenez, 22, scored 44 goals in 68 games for Feyenoord after winning the Eredivisie title last season for a €6m fee. Next steps will no doubt be planned at some point. His current club is well protected until 2027 by Jimenez’s contract and interest from Real Madrid will push the price even further.
Serhou Girassi: It’s been a busy few months for the man from Stuttgart. Girassi left Stade Rennais for a solo move this summer but his stock is on the rise after scoring 19 goals in 16 games for his new club. The 27-year-old England captain is pushing Harry Kane for the Bundesliga’s golden boot and his form has put several Premier League clubs at risk. With a £15m release clause, Guinea international Guirassi is a deal waiting for someone.
Benjamin Cesko: It won’t be easy to miss the RB Leipzig star. The Slovakian, who stands at 6ft 11in and is already known to scouts in Europe, has previously been tipped for a move to the Premier League. Cesko, 20, is a player of the present and the future but has not scored a free goal since joining Leipzig from Red Bull-owned RB Leipzig this summer. He scored twice in the Champions League group stage, but it may be worth keeping an eye on United’s previous goals at this stage.
