Chelsea priced out of re-signing striker

Chelsea face League One side Wrexham in their first pre-season match in California on Thursday. 

The Blues are travelling to the USA to begin their pre-season tour, during which they will face a number of sides including Club America, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

New head coach Enzo Maresca will use the friendlies to assess his squad before he takes charge of his first competitive match as Blues boss – against Premier League champions City next month.

In the meantime, it appears that the West London side have been priced out of a move for one of their former players.

According to Football Insider, Chelsea have shown interest in Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, but haven’t made a move for the player due to his price tag.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a fine season for the Cherries last term – scoring 21 goals in 42 games – and was perhaps a little unfortunate to miss out on a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

Solanke enjoyed a superb season for Bournemouth last term

Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has previously revealed that Bournemouth included a £65 million release clause in the Englishman’s last contract, and the report claims that the fee has prevented the Blues from moving for the striker.

Solanke progressed through the youth academy at Chelsea before departing Stamford Bridge to join Liverpool in 2017, having made just one senior appearance for the club.

He departed Liverpool two years later to join Bournemouth, and he has since netted 77 times in 216 games across all competitions for the south coast side.

Solanke’s current deal, which includes the release clause, is set to run until the end of the 2026/27 campaign.

As well as the Blues, London rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest in Solanke, but the report claims that it is unlikely that any interested party will meet the player’s price tag during the current transfer window.