Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha is said to be 'keen' on making a late and shock transfer switch to Chelsea this summer as Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel considers their options amid Cristiano Ronaldo and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang questions.
The Blues have spent over £150million so far in this transfer window with Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and most recently Marc Cucurella looking to make an instant impact on the first-team. Their spending isn't expected to stop anytime soon though ahead of the September 1 deadline amid FFP questions.
Amid talks ongoing for Frenkie de Jong and Wesley Fofana respectively, new owner Todd Boehly is also eyeing at least one more attacker to join a frontline that like last season, struggled again to get going in the Premier League opening victory over the weekend against Everton.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly huge Frenkie De Jong and Wesley Fofana Chelsea plan might face transfer hurdle
"In general, it was maybe not the most exciting Premier League game in the history of the Premier League. Seven minutes of extra time in the first half, 10 minutes in the second half tell the story. There were a lot of interruptions, no team could find a rhythm," Tuchel said in his post-match press conference.
"Everton defended deep in the first half and we struggled with switching the play, we struggled to feel the moments to change speed. It seemed like we did not want to do a decisive mistake so we did not take the risk that is needed in the final 25 metres to open a space up.
"But in general it was ok. Second half we did not have enough movement on the ball and that created a lot of ball losses from which we suffered and the game was stuck in between the halves. It wasn't in our half or their half. So in the first away match, you hang in and do what you need to keep a clean sheet and get the win."
Amid transfer speculation to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, questions remain as to whether either of the pair are attainable with Ronaldo pushing for a Man United exit while Barcelona may be open to generate some funds from a sale of the former Arsenal man following the Robert Lewandowski signing.
Whilst these questions remain, Chelsea are keeping their options open and a certain Premier League-proven winger could be a last-minute alternative for the Blues to consider if their pursuit of Ronaldo and Aubameyang fall completely through.
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea are being encouraged to make a move for Crystal Palace talisman Zaha with the player himself 'keen' on making the cross-city switch to West London in the knowledge that this may be his final chance in his peak to make a big switch to a so-called top six side.
Whether or not Chelsea are to make a move for a player valued at only £34million by Transfermarkt with one year left on his contract remains to be seen. The prospect of a cut-price transfer could prove appealing to the new owners with a big money outlay expected if they are successful in their £155million double transfer swoop for De Jong and Fofana.
What also could make a move for the Ivorian more likely before the deadline over a De Jong swoop for example is the hint Tuchel dropped at the weekend in relation to the 'priorities' of the club at this point of the transfer window.
"Yeah, if we can add, we add. Maybe not necessarily a midfielder as a first option but we’re open for everything," Tuchel told Sky Sports via the Mirror. "I think we can use new energy, new legs and fresh input to bring us to a new level. If not, then we will push this team but I think we could use some more input and some more quality. We’re on it but we will not tell you [who]."
Chelsea fans: if you could only sign one out of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wilfried Zaha or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who would you choose and why? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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