Jhon Duran and the Benjamin Sesko transfer alternatives Chelsea can sign for Enzo Maresca

Chelsea are going to have to look elsewhere this summer when it comes to adding a new striker to Enzo Maresca's squad. Heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko, the frontman is now set to sign a new contract in Germany rather than head to the Premier League for the 2024/25 campaign.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Slovenian will pen fresh terms with RB Leipzig but there will be a 'gentleman's agreement' for a future exit. football.london understands the Blues watched the 21-year-old striker on numerous occasions last term and were impressed with what they witnessed.

Sesko scored 18 goals in 42 appearances for the Bundesliga side and came to the attention of clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in the process. Now with Sesko set to remain in Leipzig for the time being despite so much talk regarding a Premier League transfer, Chelsea will have to devise another plan when it comes to adding to their frontline.

But who exactly could the Blues target for Maresca? football.london takes a look at six options below.

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP)

Another striker who has been tipped for a move to the Premier League this summer is Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP. After such a successful time with Coventry City in the Championship, it was the Portuguese side who won the race for the Swede's signature and he has repaid them with goals ever since.

Notching 43 goals and 15 assists from 50 appearances in all competitions, Sporting are going to struggle to hold on to the 26-year-old this summer. Already linked with a big-money move to Arsenal, Gyokeres' contract at Estadio Jose Alvalade contains a release clause of €100million (£85million), thus possibly seeing Sporting make a £65million profit if the clause is to be activated.

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That will be a figure Chelsea and other interested clubs would try and negotiate down, though, when it comes to signing the former Brighton & Hove Albion striker.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Amid the prospect of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku reuniting with former Blues boss Antonio Conte at Napoli this summer, a possible move to Naples for the Belgian frontman could present the west London club with a transfer opportunity. It is one that involves Napoli ace Victor Osimhen, who has been tipped to move on for a new challenge this summer.

Playing such a pivotal role in Napoli getting their hands on the Scudetto in the 2022/23 season, the 25-year-old unfortunately wasn't finding the net on such a frequent basis last term after only managing 17 goals compared to the 31 he scored a year earlier. However, his record at Napoli is still very impressive after scoring 76 times in 133 games for the Italian side.

Valued at £84million by Transfermarkt, including Lukaku in a deal for Osimhen would see the aforementioned figure decrease by some distance.

Jhon Duran (Aston Villa)

It appears that Jhon Duran could be an option for Chelsea this summer as they look to sign a new striker. Linked with a move to the club from Aston Villa in January, The Telegraph have reported that the Blues have rekindled their interest in the 20-year-old.

The Villa frontman had to make do with minutes off the bench last season due to Ollie Watkins' sparkling form but he did still manage to contribute with eight goals in all competitions for Unai Emery's side. Joining the Midlands club in a deal worth £18million in January 2023, Duran would certainly be a cheaper alternative for the Blues providing that they can strike a deal with Aston Villa for his services.

Speaking after Duran scored a double in Villa's 3-3 draw with Liverpool in May, captain John McGinn revealed that his teammate is "a nightmare sometimes to have in your team but he's got moments of quality". Duran may not be the finished article just yet but he could be prove to be a success for the Blues if they lure him to the capital.

Artem Dovbyk (Girona)

Artem Dovbyk could be in line for a move this summer after playing an integral role in Girona's rise to Europe's top table. After finishing tenth in the 2022/23 season, Girona wowed everyone last term by securing Champions League football after a third-place finish in La Liga.

Dovbyk scored 24 goals in his 36 league appearances and duly won the golden boot award in his first year in Spanish football. The 26-year-old does have a rather impressive record in front of goal in recent years after moving to Girona on the back of 53 goals in 84 outings for Dnipro-1.

Another transfer could well be on the cards this summer, with the striker already confirming that he has interest in Italy ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. A powerful player with an eye for goal, Dovbyk should certainly be in consideration when it comes to Chelsea signing a new striker.

Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

Dominic Solanke enjoyed an incredible season in front of goal for Bournemouth in 2023/24 and it could potentially lead to a big-money move away from the Vitality Stadium. The former Chelsea youngster scored 21 goals in 42 appearances to put him in with a shout of making Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.

Mentioned in regards to a transfer to clubs such as Tottenham and Newcastle United, Solanke's Bournemouth contract reportedly contains a clause that can see him leave for £65million but only certain clubs can activate it. It would be a huge sum of money for Chelsea to spend on one of their former academy products but Solanke has proved at Bournemouth that he knows where the net is.

Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart)

One cheaper option for Chelsea is Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy. The 28-year-old enjoyed a remarkable season as he scored 28 goals in 28 Bundesliga games.

His form in front of goal was a major reason for Stuttgart finishing second in the Bundesliga table, one point ahead of previous champions Bayern Munich. A striker who made a real name for himself in Germany last season, Guirassy may have plenty of interest over the course of the summer due to a bargain £15million clause in his contract.

At a time when the west London club have to be mindful of what they spend in the transfer market going on the huge amount of money spent so far during Todd Boehly's tenure, the hotshot could be a realistic option for a rather cheap fee going on today's transfer prices.