Chelsea are reportedly interested in triggering the €70 million release clause included in Serhou Guirassy’s contract at Borussia Dortmund.
The Blues were heavily linked with a move for the Guinea international last summer, but they eventually opted against pursuing a deal and Guirassy joined Dortmund for a fee of €18m in July instead.
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However, Enzo Maresca’s side have rekindled their interest in the 29-year-old amid his impressive form so far this campaign and they are ready to activate his €70m release clause in order to secure his signature, according to Fichajes.
Guirassy has scored 28 goals in 40 appearances so far this season, including 13 in the Champions League, and he has reportedly been identified as a “star signing” by the Chelsea hierarchy.
Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike have also been touted to join Chelsea this summer, although Guirassy is now being considered as a viable transfer option and the west London giants are expected to intensify their pursuit as the summer window edges closer.
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Chelsea’s interest in Guirassy comes after Maresca fired a brutal warning at Nicolas Jackson amid his current goal drought.
The Senegal international is without a goal in his last 12 appearances and ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Fulham on Sunday, Maresca admitted that his side will fail to qualify for the Champions League if Jackson’s form continues.
However, Maresca’s warning was sent just one week after he revealed that Jackson is the perfect striker for his favoured system.
“My perfect number nine is exactly Nico Jackson,” Maresca told reporters before Chelsea’s 2-2 draw versus Ipswich Town. “We already have a number nine. It’s not summer now.
“If we can have a copy of Nico, it’s okay. I have said many times, and you can see as well, with Nico we are a better team.
“Nico is the one we need. Last season, he scored goals without penalties. This season he scored goals until he was injured. Now, hopefully he can score more goals without penalties.
“We are happy with Nico. And about next season, it’s not the moment [to talk about transfers].”
Maresca is clearly conflicted over whether Chelsea need to sign a new striker this summer, although the club’s interest in Guirassy suggests he now believes an additional centre forward would be extremely beneficial.
