Chelsea are lining up a move for the powerful £62million striker

ChelseaThe front line was one of the best in Premier League over the last few months – creating a superb catalog of strikes in the process.

It’s no surprise that Cole Palmer is the Blues’ top goalscorer to date, he has registered 13 goals in 20 league appearances throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

His efforts have often caught the eye, none more so than his ridiculous free-kick against Brighton, which was just one of four goals he scored in the first half of the win.

Blues they scored 39 goalswith only leaders Liverpool and entertaining Tottenham Hotspur scoring more in the 18 games to go this season.

However, despite their impressive form in attack, Maresca are still targeting improvements, with a number of centre-forwards touted for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s January hunt for a new centre-forward

Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has was on the radar of the Blues over the last few months following his impressive form in his debut season at Portman Road.

The 21-year-old scored eight times in 19 gamesthe most of any player in Kieran McKenna’s squad, playing a key role in their survival ambitions.

No fee has been advertised for the Englishman’s signing, but he has been mentioned as a potential target, adding to their already impressive goal tally.

Brighton man Evan Ferguson is another a name thrown in the hatpotentially available for loan this month after starting just two games so far in the 2024/25 season.

The Irishman cut 16 goals in the last two Premier League seasons together, having the goal-scoring touch to potentially further improve Maresca’s frontline if the Blues follow through on their previous interest.

However, there is another name being touted for a move to the Bridge that should be desperately considered, as he has the skills to be their own version of Europe’s premier talent.

A transfer target who could be Chelsea’s answer to Gyokeres

Sporting CP ahead Viktor Gyokeres he was one of the most talked about strikers of the last few years – achieving a phenomenal goalscoring record in Portugal.

The Swedish international joined the Portuguese League team from Coventry City for £20m in the summer of 2023 – a transfer that would catapult his career beyond imagination.

The 26-year-old has since scored 75 goals in 80 appearancesincluding 32 in just 30 outings during 2024/25, attracting interest from a host of sides as a result.

However, the Blues could get their own version of Gyokeres in this window if they decide to sign the Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovicafter previously named as a target for Maresca’s side.

The Serb scored a goal 12 in 23 games in all competitions this season, leading FBref to rank the 24-year-old as a similar player to Sporting CP’s talisman through the Champions League.

When we delve into their figures, the comparison is understandable with Vlahovic putting up similar numbers to Gyokeres in various key areas for a centre-forward.

Juve’s ace, who is “destined to become one of the best strikers in the world” according to former Italian footballer Luca Toni, he may have recorded fewer combined goals so far, but he has won more air jumps at 90 – offering an outstanding target man that the Blues have been desperately missing.

Vlahović produced more shots on goal at 90, while the Swede slightly improved in terms of actions that create goalshighlighting the clinical nature of the pair in front of goal.

It was previously reported that the Serie A side will demand a fee in the region of €75m (£62m) to part with their talisman, but it is not clear whether Maresca would be willing to spend such a sum on Vlahović.

One thing is certain, the Serbian would add extra quality to the Blues’ strong forward line, providing serious quality in attacking areas – with his huge frame perfectly suited to the demands of a central playing spot – something Maresca has wanted ever since his arrival last summer.