Enzo Maresca could agree to sign ‘dangerous’ striker who is way more prolific than Nicolas Jackson

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Chelsea may be able to sign one of Europe’s most in-form strikers for nothing if they wait until the end of the season.

Enzo Maresca is believed to want a new centre-forward now, with Chelsea currently being linked with several different names.

It has been claimed that striker is just one area that Maresca wants to strengthen this month.

The Chelsea manager has Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu. But the goals have started to dry up for Jackson, Nkunku is not a natural No.9 and Guiu is still just 19 years of age.

• READ MORE: Chelsea could now face competition from Bayern Munich to sign £42m player

Chelsea could sign Lille’s Jonathan David on a free transfer

Earlier this season, it was claimed that Chelsea were scouting Lille striker Jonathan David.

It looks like the 24-year-old is still on their radar, with CaughtOffside reporting that the Blues have an interest in him.

David‘s contract expires at the end of the campaign, and CaughtOffside’s report says he is now more likely to sign a pre-contract agreement this month ahead of a summer move than push for a January transfer.

It means that Chelsea may be able to get him for free if they can afford to wait until the summer.

Jonathan David equals Nicolas Jackson’s goal tally

It is fair to say that Canada manager and former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch rates David highly.

“He’s maybe one of the hottest strikers in Europe right now; he seems to score every match,” Marsch was quoted as saying by The Athletic. “He’s dangerous every match, sets up goals. He’s a complete player.”

The Canada international has shown that this season after scoring 17 goals in 27 appearances for Lille.

To put that into perspective, Jackson netted 17 times in 44 outings during the 2023/24 campaign. It means that David has already equalled his tally this term in 17 fewer games.

If Chelsea can acquire that on a free transfer, then it is probably a bit of a no-brainer. There is no guarantee, of course, that David’s success will translate over to the Premier League, which is something for the club to think about.