Chelsea expected to pursue in-form Premier League striker if they sell Christopher Nkunku in January transfer window

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One of Chelsea’s biggest name players is one of those who has a real chance of leaving the club as part of the January transfer window.

Christopher Nkunku is reportedly unhappy with his situation at Stamford Bridge, with him seemingly unable to convince Enzo Maresca that he should be in for Premier League minutes.

Nicolas Jackson has maintained the starting role up front, and any minutes behind the striker are going to be even harder to come by due to the brilliance of Cole Palmer.

• READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano shares exactly what must happen for Christopher Nkunku to leave Chelsea in January, ‘the only way’…

The Conference League has been the competition where the Frenchman has played the majority of his minutes, and while he has impressed there that was certainly not his intention when joining the club.

Chelsea to pursue Liam Delap if they sell Christopher Nkunku in January

For this reason, Chelsea would reportedly be open to the right bid for Nkunku this month, and actively look to replace him in this transfer window.

One player the club have been linked with is Liam Delap, who is enjoying a fine first season of regular Premier League minutes.

Delap is the top scoring English striker this season, sitting just a goal behind Jackson in the scoring charts.

Simon Phillips has claimed that Chelsea could make a move for Delap in January should they need to replace Nkunku.

He said on his Substack: “Sources have heard that as a result of this, there are many clubs now coming in to monitor this situation closely, with Chelsea receiving many enquiries for the attacker. Chelsea are open to selling him this month at the right price.

“If Nkunku does go, and nothing is advanced anywhere yet for this to happen, then Chelsea will head to the striker market and push to bring in a replacement.

“This is where things get sticky, because Chelsea are still not sure on what kind of calibre of striker to bring in. Liam Delap remains the real one to watch and I suspect we would go back to Ipswich to test their reserve on him again this month, IF Nkunku does go.”

Liam Delap’s stance on January move to Chelsea

Ipswich are obviously going to be unlikely to want to part ways with their top scorer midway through the season, as they look to maintain their place in the top flight.

Delap seems to be focused on the task in hand at Portman Road too, telling Suffolk News: “Yes, I don’t really look at things like that. So, yes, I’m just focused on Ipswich.”

Maresca is a big fan of Delap, praising him before his great display against the Blues at the end of 2024. He has experience working with him during their time together at Manchester City.

Chelsea are likely to prioritise signing a new defender first, after injury problems have plagued Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.