‘Chelsea striker target to snub Stamford Bridge transfer agent reveals’
Chelsea look to have already been dealt a blow with their plans for the summer transfer window following a revelation from one player’s agent.
After a strong start to the season under new manager Enzo Maresca, things have fallen away for the Blues in recent months.
The Europa Conference League is now the club’s only hope of silverware, and they face a fight to qualify for the Champions League through their Premier League position.
That has placed an emphasis on Chelsea to strengthen their squad when the market reopens again at the end of the season, although it appears they have already been dealt a setback with those plans.
Chelsea knocked back by transfer target
The last few weeks have seen Chelsea struggle in the absence of Nicolas Jackson through injury, given their lack of an alternative centre-forward option.
As a result, a new striker is surely high on the list of priorities at Stamford Bridge ahead of the return of the transfer window.
According to a report from the Daily Mail however, one striker’s agent has revealed his client has turned down a move to the Blues, due to the wage structure that has been implemented at the club.
Chelsea were recently questioned about how they framed their financial records after an internal sale of their women’s team.
| Chelsea last five games | Result |
| Leicester (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Copenhagen (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Arsenal (A) | Lost 1-0 |
| Tottenham (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Brentford (A) | Drew 0-0 |
This report states that overshadowed the fact those accounts also showed a sharp decrease in the wage bill, down nearly £60million in the year to June 2024 from 12 months earlier.
It appears that has now had an effect on their attempts to sign players, with this agent claiming other clubs have been willing to offer a higher weekly wage, including a bottom half Premier League club.
Indeed, the agent is quoted as simply saying “Chelsea don’t pay salaries” in what could be a stark warning to the club ahead of the summer transfer window.
Currently, it is unclear exactly which striker it is who has turned down this move to Stamford Bridge, and it has been noted that the club would make an exception for the right player.
Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is among those who has been linked with Chelsea, and others, in the lead up to the summer transfer window.
Enzo Maresca to be concerned by latest transfer update
Football Insider Verdict
It is hard to imagine this will be anything other than a reason to be worried for manager Enzo Maresca given the circumstances.
Recent performances have highlighted a struggle for goals for the club while Jackson has been unavailable for selection.
That has underlined a clear need to bring in more attacking firepower when the window reopens, and if they do not get that, as has been the case here, the next season could again be difficult.
Chelsea fans have already called for Maresca to be sacked this season, and if he is not given the firepower needed for results to improve, those calls could grow louder.
Such a situation would be particularly frustrating for the manager if he feels he is not being given the tools he needs to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
Of course, the club do need to manage their finances and salary reductions are one way of doing that, although bringing in players that can help them succeed will also deliver more financial rewards.
That means the pressure now looks to be firmly on the likes of chairman Todd Boehly to find the right balance when conducting business at Chelsea this summer.