Chelsea dealt Julian Alvarez transfer blow as club president speaks out

Julian Alvarez is one of the latest strikers linked with a summer move to Chelsea.

Standard Sport understands the Blues have made the signing of a new forward a priority this summer as they accelerate plans to strengthen the squad following the appointment of Enzo Maresca.

Current forward Nicolas Jackson finished a mixed first season at Stamford Bridge with 14 Premier League goals and any new signing would compete with the Senegal international for a first-team berth.

The Blues are unlikely to move for Victor Osimhen despite holding a long-standing interest, with the Napoli striker’s £113m price tag proving prohibitive.

Benjamin Sesko is also under consideration, although Arsenal are also in the running for his services. The Gunners are thought to have been given encouragement that they hold an early edge in the race, though that will not deter Chelsea in any attempts to sign the 21-year-old.

The RB Leipzig star has a release clause worth around £56m in his contract and Chelsea may be prepared to trigger it.

Brighton’s Evan Ferguson also had admirers in SW6 but the Blues are not thought to be prepared to make a move for the 19-year-old this summer.

Alvarez has been touted as a target in various media reports, having struggled for regular game time under Pep Guardiola.

Erling Haaland will take some ousting after claiming two Premier League Golden Boots in the two years since he left Borussia Dortmund for the Etihad Stadium.

The World Cup-winning Alvarez joined City from River Plate in the summer of 2022 and has scored 36 goals in 103 appearances but Haaland is generally the first-choice under Guardiola.

Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a move for the 24-year-old but club president Enrique Cerezo has suggested Alvarez will remain at City.

“Julian Alvarez is a Manchester City player and I believe he won’t be moving from there,” he said.

Chelsea wrapped up their first signing of the Maresca era on Friday, with defender Tosin Adarabioyo signing a four-year contract following a free transfer from Fulham.