Chelsea’s need for a reliable striker has become increasingly evident. The departure of Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich late in the summer transfer window left a gap in the squad. Liam Delap, sidelined by injury since the early stages of the season, managed just one goal in nine appearances before his setback. Joao Pedro, while talented, appears better suited to a supporting role rather than leading the line as an out-and-out centre-forward. Young prospect Marc Guiu showed promise with a goal against Ajax, but questions remain about his readiness to be a consistent contributor for the Blues.
With these challenges in mind, Chelsea are reportedly turning their attention to the Bundesliga to bolster their attacking options. According to TBR Football, the club has joined Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Hoffenheim’s 23-year-old striker Fisnik Asllani. The Kosovo international has also caught the eye of Barcelona and Manchester City, signaling his rising stock in European football.
Asllani has made a scintillating start to the 2025-26 season, scoring five goals and providing two assists in just eight appearances across all competitions for Hoffenheim. His performances follow a stellar loan spell at SV Elversberg last season, where he notched an impressive 19 goals and 10 assists in 37 matches. This kind of output highlights his potential to become the focal point Chelsea need in their attack.
Chelsea’s interest in Bundesliga talent is not new. In the summer, they were linked with Nick Woltemade, who ultimately joined Newcastle United. Woltemade has since proven the quality of Bundesliga strikers in the Premier League, scoring four goals in five appearances for the Magpies. Asllani, with his blend of goal-scoring prowess and playmaking ability, could follow a similar path and thrive in English football.
Asllani’s profile fits the bill for Chelsea’s number 9 role—a young, dynamic forward with a proven track record and room to grow. However, with competition from other Premier League and European heavyweights, the Blues will need to act decisively to secure his signature. Whether Chelsea make a concrete move for the 23-year-old remains to be seen, but his addition could provide the cutting edge they’ve been missing at Stamford Bridge.