'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the rumour?
Chelsea might have Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud in the squad but they are not willing to settle for just those two. According to reports by Fernando Czyz, The Blues have made a bid for Inter Milan striker, Mauro Icardi.
The journalist who works for TNT Sports claims that the Premier League club has made its first move for the Argentine forward. He reports that the bid is worth €63 million.
In case you didn’t know...
Chelsea have two other strikers out on loan: Michy Batshyai and Tammy Abraham. The two youngsters have been doing well at Borussia Dortmund and Swansea City respectively but things don't look good for them.
Alvaro Morata was signed for a club-record fee of £60 million just before the start of this season. Olivier Giroud joined Chelsea in January for a fee reported to be £18 million.
The heart of the matter
This is not the first time Chelsea have been linked with Icardi. The striker was linked with them in December by Spanish publication, AS. The report also said that there was interest from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain too.
Morata and Giroud have not been doing well in front of goal these days and that would be the main reason behind why Chelsea are keen on signing the Argentine. It is actually a surprise that they are making a move this early, especially with Antonio Conte's future at the club still in doubts.
Rumour probability: 6/10
The Argentine has a release clause of £99 million at Inter Milan, and that is something Chelsea will have to consider matching if they want to really sign the striker.
Video
Author’s take
Icardi would be a brilliant signing but the question is, who makes way for him? Chelsea will not be keeping 5 strikers at the club for sure unless they are planning to go with 2 up front. But still, none of them are going to be accepting bench roles and could definitely be heading for the exit.
