Chelsea FC have initiated talks with Ligue 1 side Lille with the Blues keen on signing attacker Jonathan Ikone. The 22-year old forward has been a solid performer for Lille this season and has even earned a call up from the French national team.
Ikone has emerged as an alternative option to German sensation Kai Havertz for the Blues. With the 21-year old Havertz’s transfer not being able to materialize over pricing concerns, Frank Lampard has sought to target the Lille star.
Despite the arrival of new signing Timo Werner, Lampard wants to acquire another attacking option to operate besides the German striker. Ikone could be a suitable option for the intended purpose. The French international is blessed with superb speed and is also great on going ahead one-on-one with defenders.
The 22-year old Lille attacker has had a wonderful 2019-20 campaign for the Ligue 1 outfit. Ikone has scored thrice while assisting his teammates on six occasions this season.
France national team manager Didier Deschamps has tipped Ikone to be a future star for both club and country. Despite his first call up for the national squad last year, Ikone has already played four games for Deschamps’s side, scoring once in the process.
With Olivier Giroud widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge and seal a move to Inter Milan, signing Ikone could be a good decision for Frank Lampard. The 22-year old Frenchman can also help provide cover for Timo Werner in the first-team squad.
However, it seems as if the Blues are not the only side interested in signing Ikone. Tottenham Hotspurs and Newcastle United have also reported being in talks with Lille over the possibility of securing a move for the forward this summer.
Chelsea FC have escalated their interest in landing Ikone’s signature in the past few days. With Havertz’s transfer continuing to drag on, Lampard wants to finalize the signing of Ikone instead. The French international will reportedly cost the Blues £32million, a fee Lampard won’t mind paying as long as he gets his desired transfer target.
