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Chelsea news: Christian Pulisic eyed with Maurizio Sarri keen for attacking signings
CHELSEA could make an approach for Borussia Dortmund attacker Christian Pulisic in January or next summer with Maurizio Sarri looking to strengthen in attack, according to reports.
That’s the suggestion of Goal, who also say that the Blues snubbed the chance to sign Nabil Fekir before deadline day.
Chelsea’s transfer activity was hampered by the time it took them to sack Antonio Conte and appoint former Napoli tactician Maurizio Sarri as his successor, with the Italian only named the new boss in mid-July with less than four weeks of the window remaining.
Jorginho, back-up goalkeeper Rob Green, Kepa Arrizabalaga - signed as a Thibaut Courtois replacement - and on-loan midfielder Mateo Kovacic all came in while the west London club also rebuffed interest in star man Eden Hazard and Willian.
But despite keeping hold of two key forwards, Sarri wanted to add to his options in the final third with Gonzalo Higuain, Robert Lewandowski, Wilfried Zaha Fekir and Pulisic among those linked.
And Goal have revealed that Chelsea held talks with Lyon for Fekir but decided against a late deal for the France international, who almost joined Liverpool in June, due to their other similar options.
Yet their report also suggests that Sarri and co. could revisit their interest in American teenage prodigy Pulisic either in the January window or in next summer’s market.
Chelsea had weighed up a £65million bid to Dortmund for the 19-year-old having been told of his potential availability with just two years left on his contract with the Bundesliga giants.
And though they decided against making an offer, Goal say that Sarri remains keen to add extra quality in attack in the months to come and continue to hold firm interest in Pulisic.
The Dortmund ace could attract interest from a whole host of European clubs, with Liverpool among the other Premier League teams to show strong interest previously, if he does not commit to a new contract.
Pulisic has emerged as one of the continent’s hottest young prospects and he is already viewed as the US’ best player after nine goals in 21 caps - although his strikes could not help them to achieve qualification for the World Cup earlier this summer.
Goal say that there are some fears at Chelsea that Real Madrid will return for Hazard, with whom they were linked with a British transfer record approach following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus.
Chelsea managed to keep hold of the Belgian and remain determined to tie him down to a new £300,000-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge with just two years left to run on his current deal.
Borussia Dortmund is the place for Christian Pulisic says Nichol
But Hazard is thought to be one of Real’s biggest targets to eventually replace Ronaldo as the new leading figure at the Bernabeu and that could see them test the Blues’ resolve again in the future.
Despite the potential for Chelsea to go back in for Pulisic in the next 12 months, Sarri still has Willian, Pedro - who recently penned a new contract to stay at Chelsea until 2020- and up-and-coming youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi as his options in wide positions.
The latter, academy starlet Hudson-Odoi, staked his claim for a first-team role in pre-season and though he missed out on a place in the match day squad for their 3-0 opening day win at Huddersfield last weekend, is expected to be handed opportunities throughout the season.
The 17-year-old has two years left on his terms at Chelsea with a five-year contract said to be on the table for the England under-17 World Cup winner who has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.