Julian Alvarez is attracting interest (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea are readying a bid for Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez as he grows increasingly unhappy with his lack of game time, according to reports.
The Blues confirmed their first signing of the summer on Friday as Tosin Adarabioyo moved to Stamford Bridge following the expiration of his Fulham contract.
However, the club are plotting more moves as they look to revamp their squad for new manager Enzo Maresca.
An area Chelsea may target is a central striker after both Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku flattered to deceive for large parts of the previous campaign.
A move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen now appears unlikely, but according to Argentine outlet TYC Sports, Chelsea will now turn their attention to City’s Alvarez.
The striker, who joined from River Plate in 2022 for just £14million, notched up 11 goals and nine assists in the league last season.
However, he found himself regularly on the bench towards the end of the season as Pep Guardiola’s side romped to a fourth successive league title.
Alvarez won his second successive Premier League title last season (Picture: Getty)
While City are said to be in no rush to cash in on the 24-year-old, Chelsea may still test the waters with an opening bid for the striker.
Paris-Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid are also said to be interested in Alvarez.
Elsewhere in attack, Chelsea look set to bring the curtain done on Romeulu Lukaku’s time at the club as he returns from his loan at Roma.
It’s understood that Lukaku has a £38 million release clause this summer despite signing for a whopping £97.5m from Inter in August 2021.
Napoli are said to be considering a move, while Lukaku also made it clear that he would be open to joining a club in the Saudi Pro League.
Romelu Lukaku is set to leave Chelsea permanently this summer (Picture: Getty)
‘I have often spoken with Yannick [Carrasco] about life there. He lives in a compound there, but you really have everything there,’ he told RTL.
‘Saudi Arabia wouldn’t stop me. The level will only increase to a much higher level than many people think. More and more football players will tend to play there.
‘Also because of how the fans there experience football. The infrastructure still needs to be improved, but all major European top clubs know: ‘Saudi Arabia is coming’. You already see that in boxing, golf, Formula 1.’
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