Striker ‘refuses to go to Chelsea’ after trying to sign him on deadline day

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One centre-forward will definitely not be joining Chelsea before the transfer window closes.

Chelsea are thought to be considering signing a new striker following Liam Delap’s hamstring injury.

It is believed that Delap could be out for up to two months after the 22-year-old had to be taken off injured during his side’s 2-0 win against Fulham over the weekend.

Since then, one name that has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge is Sporting Lisbon’s Conrad Harder.

• READ MORE: The signing Chelsea must make on transfer deadline day, Enzo Maresca is getting desperate

Conrad Harder rejects Chelsea

It has been claimed that Chelsea have made enquiries about signing Harder, but they are set for failure in their pursuit of the Dane.

According to Record, the player “refuses to go to Chelsea”, which is a blow for those at the club who were pushing for his arrival.

Instead, the outlet states that Harder has decided to join RB Leipzig after turning down a switch to west London.

With Harder no longer an option, the Blues will have to sign someone else or just keep hold of Nicolas Jackson.

Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich is off, so the 24-year-old could end up remaining in west London. There has also been plenty of talk about Marc Guiu being recalled from Sunderland and added to Enzo Maresca‘s squad.

Chelsea’s alternatives to Conrad Harder

If buying a new centre-forward is the route that Chelsea want to go down, they have alternatives to Harder.

For example, according to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea have contacted Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, doing a deal this late in the transfer window could prove difficult.

Another journalist, Florian Plettenberg, has also claimed that Chelsea have discussed signing Randal Kolo Muani.

As things stand, though, the most likely outcome is probably Jackson staying. Newcastle United making a bid for the Senegal international if Alexander Isak is sold to Liverpool does not sound impossible, but everything is pointing towards Jackson remaining where he currently is.