Alious
Chelsea may be forced to step aside in the race for highly-rated Olympiacos striker Charalampos Kostoulas, with reports indicating that Brighton are now in pole position to secure the teenager’s signature.
Having recently wrapped up the signing of Liam Delap as their first addition of the summer, Chelsea are expected to remain active in the transfer market, focusing on reinforcing several key areas—particularly at centre-back and in right-sided attacking roles. While a new striker isn’t a top priority following Delap’s arrival, the club is still monitoring various forward prospects as part of its long-term squad planning.
One such player is Kostoulas, the 18-year-old Greek talent who impressed last season with six goals in 21 league appearances and has also featured at under-21 level for Greece. Despite being tied down to a long-term contract at Olympiacos until 2030, he has drawn serious interest from across Europe due to his potential and sharp attacking instincts.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg recently shared an update via X.com, revealing that Brighton are making significant headway in negotiations. He stated, *“Understand Brighton are very confident of getting the deal done for Charalampos Kostoulas! Talks are advanced, though not finalized. The deal could be worth around €47 million.”* He also noted that Chelsea’s next move remains uncertain, suggesting they may still be weighing up a second attempt to hijack the deal.
Elsewhere, Chelsea’s interest in strengthening the forward line persists. The club has been eyeing Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, though a potential transfer has been complicated by the German club’s steep €100 million valuation. While Chelsea are reportedly ahead of Liverpool in the pursuit of the French U-21 forward, it appears increasingly unlikely a deal would be finalized in time for Ekitike to be involved in the Club World Cup.
In addition to Kostoulas and Ekitike, the Blues are also exploring the possibility of bringing in Mohammed Kudus from West Ham. The Ghanaian attacker, known for his versatility across the frontline, is reportedly a player Chelsea have been offered. However, an initial proposal—which included the likes of Robert Sanchez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall—was turned down by the Hammers. Whether Chelsea return with a revised offer remains to be seen, but it underscores their commitment to enhancing their attacking options heading into a pivotal campaign.
Alious
