Chelsea manager Frank Lampard wants to bring a new striker this month and are in talks to sign Napoli forward Dries Mertens, according to Sky Sports.
The Blues have been scouring the market for signings this month but are yet to bolster the Stamford Bridge first-team squad.
The report suggests that Chelsea are in talks with Napoli over landing Mertens, whose contract expires in the summer.
The London club have been served well in the forward department by England international Tammy Abraham, who has scored 15 goals in 31 appearances so far, but the same could not be said about Giroud and Michy Batshuayi.
Chelsea boss Lampard hinted last weekend that he was preparing to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes.
“We got a punishment in the summer and it is meant to hurt you,” he told the media.
“We lost one of the biggest players in our history in Eden Hazard. That is the situation.
“My job is to work every day on the training ground to make the players better.
“The other part is looking at how we can move forward by bringing in players.
“We lost ground last summer and we need to make moves now to take us forward. I have a strong feeling of where we can improve personnel-wise to take us forward.
“So for me it’s clear. The money of it is not my job but I have to be honest and truthful. Short-term recruitment is something we have to get right.”
Mertens would be an exciting signing for Chelsea and someone who could operate in a number of positions in the forward line for the Blues.
Abraham’s injury has left the Stamford Bridge side short of options and an extra attacker would be a welcome addition before the transfer window closes on Friday night.
