Chelsea made late move for in-form Premier League striker during transfer window

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that his side can improve when domestic football returns after the international break. 

The Blues have made an inconsistent start to the new campaign and currently sit 12th in the Premier League table with four points from a possible 12.

Last time out Pochettino’s side slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

Now, it has emerged that Chelsea made an attempt to sign one of Forest’s key players just days before the match.

As reported by The Athletic, the Blues made a late enquiry about Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi, just two days before the striker provided the assist for Anthony Elanga’s winning goal at Stamford Bridge.

Awoniyi, 26, joined Steve Cooper’s side from Union Berlin last summer and finished last season in sensational form.

The Nigerian scored in seven consecutive matches across the end of last season and the start of the new campaign, helping to ensure their top flight survival last term.

Awoniyi was ths subject of an enquiry from Chelsea late in the transfer window

In total Awoniyi has scored 14 goals in 34 matches for Forest, as well as providing the assist for their winner last time out.

He scored against Manchester United at Old Trafford last month, as well as netting against Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Chelsea were on the hunt for a new striker this summer and did sign Nicolas Jackson as one of a number of new recruits added to Pochettino’s squad.

Despite Jackson’s relatively impressive start to life in West London, it appears that those in charge of the club were keen to bolster the Argentine’s options in attack, specifically with players capable of operating centrally.

Forest had no intention of selling former Liverpool academy star Awoniyi, who is currently contracted to the club until the summer of 2027.