Chelsea will now have to pay £86m to sign striker they have concerns about

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One Chelsea target is going to cost a fortune when the transfer window opens in the summer.

Chelsea are likely to bring in a new striker ahead of the 2025/26 season and have been linked with several names.

The above includes Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who has scored 12 goals in 31 Premier League appearances this term.

It has been claimed that Enzo Maresca is determined to sign Delap this summer after working with the 22-year-old at Manchester City. As well as Delap, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is another centre-forward Chelsea are thought to be interested in.

• READ MORE: Chelsea ‘seriously considering’ activating £66m striker’s release clause instead of Liam Delap

Eintracht Frankfurt slap £86m price tag on Hugo Ekitike

Last month, it was reported that Chelsea are keen on Ekitike amid his impressive campaign in Germany.

In 43 appearances for Eintracht this season, the 22-year-old has scored 21 goals. If Chelsea want to sign him in the next transfer window, though, then they are going to have to make a huge offer for his services.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Eintracht’s CEO Markus Krosche is now demanding at least €100m (£85.7m) for Ekitike.

At that price, a deal seems very unlikely, especially with Delap on the market for much less. In fact, Delap will cost just £30m if Ipswich are relegated this term, which looks very likely.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
16	WolvesWolves	32	10	5	17	47	61	-14	35
17	West HamWest Ham	32	9	8	15	36	54	-18	35
18	IpswichIpswich	32	4	9	19	33	67	-34	21
19	LeicesterLeicester	32	4	6	22	27	72	-45	18
20	SouthamptonSouthampton	32	2	4	26	23	77	-54	10

The England U21 international has a release clause in his contract that will become active should Kieran McKenna’s men fail to avoid the drop.

Chelsea have concerns about Hugo Ekitike

While Chelsea have Ekitike on their radar, they do not seem fully convinced by the Frenchman, which is another reason why they may opt against making a move for him this summer.

According to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea have concerns about Ekitike’s suitability to the Premier League.

It is not a worry they will have with Delap, who has been very convincing in the English top flight this season. Ultimately, out of the two, the former City player looks like the more likely signing.