Chelsea are reportedly contemplating their options regarding the future signing of Strasbourg forward Emanuel Emegha.
The Blues are currently celebrating qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in three years and preparing for Wednesday's Conference League final with Real Betis.
However, as a result of the former, they have become a more attractive option in the transfer market, while also in a position to allocate more funds to strengthening the first-team squad.
As it stands, the priority will be adding experience and proven quality to the squad, particularly in the final third with Chelsea's recruitment eager to acquire the services of a frontman to compete and potentially replace Nicolas Jackson.
Nevertheless, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who was commenting on X, Chelsea are also planning for the future when it comes to their options in the final third.
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Emegha a future arrival?
The report suggests that key figures at Stamford Bridge view Emegha as someone who could potentially arrive at the club for the start of 2026-27.
Emegha netted 14 goals in 27 games this season to earn Strasbourg a seventh-placed finish in the Ligue 1 table and a place in next season's Conference League.
As a result, Strasbourg - also owned by Chelsea chiefs BlueCo - will retain his services as they bid to win that competition, as well as improve on this campaign.
That said, Romano adds that Chelsea are looking into the possibility of putting a "pre-agreement" in place to give them the option of signing Emegha in a year's time.
While teams such as Newcastle United have been interested in the Netherlands Under-21 international in the past, there appears to be no realistic possibility of a move to a rival occurring anytime soon.
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Pressure ramping up on Jackson?
Although Enzo Maresca has often talked up the qualities of Jackson, the Senegal international could quickly see himself fall down the pecking order if he does not improve.
As well as Chelsea being linked with the likes of Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, youngster Marc Guiu has already done enough to be regarded as a first-team player going forward.
Jackson has 29 goals - none from set pieces - and 11 assists from 77 appearances in a Chelsea shirt and a contract in place until 2033.
On the flip side, he has only netted three times across in 14 times during 2025, the 23-year-old facing a potential crossroads moment in his Chelsea career when he starts the Conference League final versus Real Betis after his recent domestic suspension.
Darren Plant
