Chelsea have reportedly decided whether to press ahead with a deal for Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani in the January transfer window.
As swoops for Galatasaray-bound Victor Osimhen and Al-Ahli's Ivan Toney fell through a few months ago, the summer market closed without a new number nine arriving in Chelsea's ranks.
However, the Blues have fared fine thanks to the contributions of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, who have combined for 21 of the club's 38 Premier League goals this season as they lie fourth in the table.
Only two players - Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah - can better Palmer's tally of 12 strikes, while nine-goal Jackson also sits in the top 10 highest Premier League scorers of the current campaign.
Nevertheless, the West London giants have been repeatedly tipped to bolster their offensive line when the winter window reopens, and Kolo Muani is said to have emerged as a potential target.
© Imago
Chelsea decide against Kolo Muani approach?
The former Nantes and Eintracht Frankfurt attacker is expected to be given the green light to leave the Parc des Princes over the winter, and a previous report claimed that PSG could even use him as a bargaining chip to land Christopher Nkunku.
However, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea do not intend to make a move for Kolo Muani midway through the season, even though the club hold 'natural respect' for the 26-year-old.
While the Blues will not be welcoming Kolo Muani to Stamford Bridge, Jacobs insists that the club are still in pursuit of a new focal point and have 'several names' on their shortlist for 2025.
In the meantime, though, Enzo Maresca and co have 'big confidence' in Jackson to keep on delivering in the Premier League, and there is no rush from the Blues to sign a new centre-forward.
The Blues will play their final game of 2024 away to Ipswich Town on Monday evening, before heading to Crystal Palace on January 4 for their opening battle of 2025.
Could Kolo Muani still end up in the Premier League?
Understand Randal Kolo Muani is not in Chelsea's plans.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) December 29, 2024
Natural respect for the player, but no approach expected in January.
Chelsea have several names on their list of possible striker options for 2025, but nothing imminent, and big confidence in Nicolas Jackson.🔵 pic.twitter.com/9tj7dlfYaL
The Premier League door should not be fully closed for Kolo Muani in January, as the PSG attacker is still said to be on the radar of four other high-profile English teams.
While predominantly a centre-forward, the 26-year-old can also do a job on either wing, potentially making him an intriguing option for Arsenal following Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury.
The Gunners can apparently expect to be offered Kolo Muani on loan when the window reopens, but Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur could all throw their hat into the ring.
PSG paid Frankfurt £78.7m to bring Kolo Muani back to France in 2023, but he has failed to hit the same heights he managed in the Bundesliga, only scoring 11 goals in 54 matches.
This season, the France international has found the back of the net twice in 14 appearances, starting just two games in Ligue 1 and none in the Champions League.
Ben Knapton
