5 alternatives to Erling Haaland Chelsea can look at upfront

3. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final

It looks unlikely to happen considering the bad blood between the clubs, but were Chelsea to launch an audacious bid for the wantaway England and Tottenham captain, they would find a perfect player to take the team to the next level. The 27-year-old is frighteningly lethal in front of goal, having added the ability to drop deep and play as a creative centre forward over the last few seasons.

From a tactical perspective, seeing him link up with Timo Werner and the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic would strike fear into the hearts of most European defences. It would take a lot financially and maybe even more from a pride standpoint, but Chelsea could build their superteam around a talisman like Kane.

2. Danny Ings, Southampton

Southampton v Crystal Palace - Premier League

28-year-old Danny Ings has been one of the most in-form strikers in the Premier League, plundering over 44 goals over the last two campaigns for midtable Southampton. His back-to-goal style and sharpshooting abilities in the opposition penalty box would make him as close to a like-for-like replacement for Olivier Giroud, providing a more direct and attacking goal threat against teams who tend to drop deep in their own half against Chelsea.

Having announced he does not wish to sign a contract extension at Southampton, Chelsea may find it easy to attract a wantaway player for a reasonable fee, adding to the strong English core of the team.

1. Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan

FC Internazionale Milano v Udinese Calcio - Serie A

It's been nearly a decade since Romelu Lukaku was a Chelsea player. Forced to be under the shadow of the legendary Didier Drogba, Lukaku found it hard to break into the Chelsea team and was forced to take the long route to sucess through a number of loan spells with West Brom and Everton, before having limited success in the Manchester United shirt.

The bruising Belgian striker has come into own in Italy, starring in a title-winning domestic campaign with Inter Milan and a personally successful Euro 2020. On a tactical front, the fiery combination of pace and physicality he presents is perfect to complete Thomas Tuchel's tactical vision of a ruthless forward line.

It would be tough to tempt Lukaku away from Inter Milan despite their financial troubles, having quickly become a confident fan favourite. But a return to old pastures for once destined success could be too hard to turn down should Chelsea come calling with the right financial offer.