Mauricio Pochettino has consulted with the Chelsea leadership to discuss the need for a new ‘experienced’ striker ahead of the 2023/24 season.
According to the Independent, the Argentine manager has named Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and Roma’s Paulo Dybala the two best candidates to lead his frontline next term.
Pochettino has devoted the early days of his managerial tenure at Stamford Bridge to clearing out his bloated squad, with numerous out-of-favour players already walking through the exit door.
Romelu Lukaku is also among those deemed surplus to requirements, and his departure is crucial to unloading a heavy wage burden and opening up space for a new striker.
However, Chelsea cannot convince the 30-year-old to accept lucrative proposals from Saudi Arabia amid Inter Milan’s efforts to bring him back to Serie A.
While working on Lukaku’s sale, Pochettino is scouring the market for a new forward, with Vlahovic and Dybala reportedly landing on his shortlist.
Taking Dybala away from Roma already looks like a ‘mission impossible’ after La Joya quashed talks of a potential summer exit to pledge his long-term allegiance to the club.
The 29-year-old joined the Giallorossi last summer and came close to securing the Europa League title in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico, only for Sevilla to stop them in their tracks in the final.
But after establishing himself as an indispensable first-team figure under Jose Mourinho, he has no interest in quitting Roma anytime soon.
Unlike the Argentine forward, Vlahovic could be persuaded to leave Serie A after five years as he’s not on good terms with Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Less than two years since completing his €70 million switch from Fiorentina, the Serb is contemplating his long-term prospects in Turin following an underwhelming season.
Vlahovic is only a thought for Chelsea, but Pochettino could turn an idea into concrete interest in the coming weeks with top-class strikers thin on the ground.
He may want to hurry up, as Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly set their sights on the 23-year-old after letting Lionel Messi leave earlier this summer.
