Chelsea have apparently deployed scouts to keep an eye on the progress of Montpellier HSC striker Akor Adams.
As 11pm struck on transfer deadline day, the January window closed without a new striker arriving at Stamford Bridge, despite Mauricio Pochettino's desire for fresh blood up front.
There was attacking movement at Stamford Bridge in the closing hours of the window, but it was an outgoing rather than an incoming, as Armando Broja joined Fulham on loan for the rest of the season.
With Broja making the switch across West London, Pochettino has been left with Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and the inexperienced Deivid Washington as his central striking options for the next few months.
Jackson and Nkunku have both failed to set the world alight during their earliest months at Stamford Bridge, although the latter has been plagued by fitness problems and has only made five appearances so far this season.
© Reuters
Meanwhile, Jackson has managed eight goals in 23 appearances but has been guilty of squandering several gilt-edged chances, and Chelsea have been without the Senegal international in recent weeks due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Jackson is now back at Stamford Bridge after Senegal's elimination and could make his domestic comeback against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but Chelsea are now looking ahead to attacking reinforcements for the summer window.
According to HITC, Chelsea recently had scouts in attendance to watch Montpellier's Ligue 1 clash with Lille on January 28, and Adams was among three players whom they were running the rule over.
The 24-year-old Nigerian learned his trade in Norway with Sogndal and Lillestrom before joining Montpellier last summer, and he has hit the ground running with nine goals and one assist from his first 20 appearances for La Paillade.
Adams struck seven goals in his first nine Ligue 1 appearances and also came up with a brace and assist in a 4-0 Coupe de France thrashing of Feignies-Aulnoye, but he is now on a 10-game goal drought in the top flight.
© Reuters
Nevertheless, the striker's early-season exploits caught the eye of the Blues, but Montpellier have no need to sell the 24-year-old, whose contract runs until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
As well as Adams, the report adds that Chelsea representatives were also examining Lille striker Jonathan David in that goalless draw, as well as his teammate, teenage defender Leny Yoro.
Broja is due to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer and is under contract with the Blues until 2028, but his long-term future remains clouded in uncertainty as Chelsea seek out a marquee attacking addition.
Moves for Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney did not materialise during the winter market, but Chelsea are expected to revisit both situations in the summer alongside London rivals Arsenal.
Osimhen's imminent exit from Napoli has already been confirmed by the player and president Aurelio de Laurentiis, although he recently signed a new deal with a release clause of approximately £112m.
Ben Knapton
