Chelsea were extremely active during the summer transfer window but failed to sign a top striker.
Victor Osimhen was wanted at Stamford Bridge, but a deal never happened in the end.
Chelsea abandoned their pursuit of Osimhen on deadline day, leaving them still in need of a centre-forward, unless Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku can prove to be enough.
Enzo Maresca confirmed that the pair are his two options for the No.9 position at this moment in time.
However, it still looks like Chelsea could sign a new striker in 2025 based on some of Maresca’s recent comments. And if the club choose to, Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez is one name that they should consider making a serious push for.
What has Enzo Maresca said about Chelsea’s transfer plans next year?
Chelsea did a lot of recruiting during the summer, making more than 10 signings. In January and next summer, though, it could be a completely different story.
Maresca told reporters on Friday that the plan is to be more “specific” in the transfer market when it reopens.
Speaking to The Athletic and other outlets, the 44-year-old said: “The target after the last summer [window] is to try to do less things but more specific. This is the target for January and for next summer. Hopefully it can be like this.”
The above is likely to mean that Chelsea will address an area or two that could be stronger, such as centre-forward. With that in mind, then, the club’s owners and sporting directors should be looking at Martinez.
Why Chelsea should consider Lautaro Martinez
Martinez is one of the best strikers in Europe and has a goal record to prove that. Last season, the 27-year-old scored 27 times in 44 appearances for Inter; the campaign before, he netted on one more occasion.
“He is a sensational player,” Pep Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference before Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Inter on Wednesday.
The main issue with Martinez, though, is that he has just signed a new contract with Inter and is club captain.
The Serie A champions will not want him to go, while Martinez is also unlikely to be keen on the idea of departing, having just put pen to paper on a fresh deal.
It has been claimed that Chelsea are ready to offer Inter players in a deal for Martinez. But given the Argentina international’s value to the team, that and cash may still not be enough to convince the Italian club to sell to the Blues.
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