Chelsea are reportedly interested in securing a reunion with one of their former players during the summer transfer window.
The Blues have already moved to sign Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer in order to bolster their options in that area of the pitch.
However, it has been well-documented that a new centre-forward is very much on the radar of the club's recruitment in order to provide competition for Nicolas Jackson.
Although the Senegal international enjoyed a solid first campaign at Stamford Bridge, the amount of big chances missed by the attacker has led to a sustained effort trying to find an alternative.
Benjamin Sesko had been a target for Chelsea before he extended his contract with RB Leipzig, while Aston Villa's Jhon Duran is also allegedly on their radar.
Nevertheless, it appears that co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital may be prepared to spend a bigger transfer fee in order to sign a proven Premier League player.
© Reuters
Solanke on Chelsea's radar
According to HITC, Chelsea have enquired about Dominic Solanke's current situation at Bournemouth.
The one-cap England international has just enjoyed the most productive top-flight campaign of his career, scoring 19 times from 38 appearances.
With 77 strikes and 31 assists from 216 outings to his name, Solanke has established himself as one of the best players in Bournemouth's history, yet the Cherries face a fight to retain his services this summer.
Chelsea are allegedly in a position where they can activate a release clause in Solanke's contract, handing them a boost, yet it stands at £65m and can also be used by other "top six" clubs, including Arsenal.
As the Gunners have also missed out on Sesko, it is plausible they could turn their focus to the 26-year-old, who has only experienced European football for 53 minutes across four appearances during his career.
© Reuters
Would Chelsea be willing to pay required fee?
Back in 2017, Chelsea would receive in the region of £3m through a tribunal when Solanke left for Liverpool, and he has since gone on to establish himself as a proven centre-forward.
That said, Solanke did only net six times across 33 appearances in the top flight during 2022-23, and Chelsea may point to that in negotiations.
Before this season, that represented Solanke's best year in the Premier League, so shelling out £65m when cheaper alternatives are available looks unlikely.
Much may depend on whether a bidding war ensues with Bournemouth knowing there will be widespread interest in Solanke, with Tottenham Hotspur another team said to be admirers.
