Chelsea will not be signing RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko this summer.
Benjamin Sesko was thought to have been a key target for Chelsea, with journalist Simon Phillips claiming that the Blues were ready to activate his release clause.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, the striker has decided to sign a new contract and remain at RB Leipzig.
It is a blow for Chelsea, who need a new centre-forward after relying too heavily on Nicolas Jackson last term. Despite only being 22 and last season being his first in England, the Senegal international still went on to make 44 appearances.
Chelsea do, however, look to have an alternative to Sesko.
Chelsea’s Benjamin Sesko alternative
Sesko’s first campaign in the Bundesliga did not go too badly and he managed to finish it off quite strongly.
In 31 games, the 21-year-old scored 14 goals, with seven of those coming in his final seven outings — all in a row.
Girona’s Artem Dovbyk also had a campaign he can be pleased with, and the Ukrainian could now be on his way to Chelsea.
According to GiveMeSport, the Blues want to sign Dovbyk as an alternative to Sesko.
In the 41 matches Dovbyk played for Girona during the 2023/24 campaign, he scored 25 goals.
Artem Dovbyk would be a risk for Chelsea
Dovbyk certainly did well last season, but that was the first time he did good numbers in a top European league.
The 26-year-old has spent most of his career so far in his homeland Ukraine.
If Chelsea can get Dovbyk for a reasonable fee, then he could be worth a punt if they cannot sign a more proven striker. But splashing out on the Ukrainian this summer would be a bit of a risk.
Chelsea, though, have to try and bring in someone this transfer window. Again, too much pressure was put on Jackson in his debut season at Stamford Bridge, which was not fair for a young striker like the former Villarreal man.