Chelsea chasing Champions League striker

Chelsea reached the fourth round of the Carabao Cup courtesy of a comfortable 5-0 win over Barrow on Tuesday evening. 

A Christopher Nkunku hat-trick, as well as an own goal and Pedro Neto’s first strike for the club, earned the Blues a convincing victory over the League Two leaders at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca will see the Carabao Cup as a realistic opportunity to win silverware during his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues having reached the final of the competition in two of the past three years.

Next up for Chelsea is a Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon, but in the meantime it appears that the London side are chasing a Champions League striker.

As per TEAMtalk, Victor Boniface has emerged as a leading contender as Chelsea look to sign a new striker.

Boniface has emerged as a leading target for Chelsea

The Blues have been heavily linked with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen over the past couple of years and, while they remain interested in the Nigerian, the report claims that Boniface is emerging as a leading contender.

It is claimed that several key figures within Chelsea are pushing the idea of making Boniface, 23, their top target.

Boniface joined Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise last summer and netted 14 times to help Xabi Alonso’s side to the Bundesliga title.

His profile and style of play are regarded by those in charge of Chelsea’s recruitment as being suited to Maresca’s style, which could make him a useful signing.

As well as Osimhen and Boniface, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko are also said to still be of interest to Chelsea.

Boniface would cost around £70 million, the report says, but he would be a cheaper option in the long-run as his wage demands wouldn’t be as high as Osimhen.

The Nigeria international, who is currently on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, has been informed that Chelsea will once again try to sign him next year, according to the report.