Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Andrea Belotti, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly enquired about the availability of various strikers in an attempt to replace Diego Costa, including Torino man Andrea Belotti and Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

According to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, despite missing out on Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, the Blues will not be rushed in their chase for a new goal-getter.

As well as Belotti and Aubameyang, Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata is reported to have been considered, while Chelsea aren't said to be ready to drop their interest in Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez either, that despite the Gunners reportedly making it clear they will not sell to a Premier League rival. 

Zhong Zhi/Getty Images

Additionally, Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke is also stated to have impressed Blues manager Antonio Conte.

Costa's departure appears to be edging closer after a video emerged of the Spain international in an Atletico Madrid strip. Law suggested the striker's "antics in Brazil will not force Chelsea into immediately slashing their asking price for the stay-away 28-year-old—even though Atletico are unlikely to have to pay £40 million."

Per Squawka Football, Costa will be a difficult man to replace for the Blues, having shone since arriving from Atletico in 2014:

Conte demands plenty from his forwards, too, meaning the man who comes through the door to fill the Costa-shaped void will be under a lot of pressure.

In terms of style, Belotti may be the most natural fit. While not as aggressive as Costa, the Italian is always in the game with his bullish running, physical play and sharp movement. However, according to Calciomercato, Torino are reported to be unhappy about approaches made for the player, with AC Milan seeking to push through a deal for the Azzurri star.

Interest from some of European football's most illustrious clubs in the man known as Il Gallo is understandable. Per WhoScored.com, there aren't many more natural finishers around than Belotti:

Per Calciomercato's report, Belotti would cost a staggering €100 million (£88 million) to prise away from the Granata.

Aubameyang wouldn't be a cheap acquisition either, although the Gabon international joining would require a shift in style for the Blues. After all, the Dortmund man's game is centred on exploiting space in behind with his searing pace; he's not a target man in the mould of Costa.

TF-Images/Getty Images

Still, Aubameyang is a player who can thrill supporters, and for a Chelsea team that was devastating on the counter-attack in 2016-17, he'd be such a weapon. 

As relayed by Sky Sports News HQ's Kaveh Solhekol, it appears the Blues will need to act fast if they're get Aubameyang on board:

With that in mind, perhaps it's unsurprising they have explored so many different options at the point of the attack. Morata, according to Law, is the "most obvious alternative to Lukaku, given Chelsea's attempt to sign him last summer." But Law added Real are ready to demand a massive fee for his services.

The worry for Conte will be starting the season with Michy Batshuayi as his only recognised striker, provided Costa remains on the fringes. It's a position that requires familiarity with team-mates, and the longer the search drags on, the more difficult it'll be for the new man to integrate ahead of the defence of their Premier League title.