Signing a new striker was among Chelsea’s top priorities in this summer’s transfer window. With Catarina Macario leaving in March and Sam Kerr departing at the end of the season, the Blues have been left relying on Mayra Ramirez, who featured for just one minute last season, and Aggie Beever-Jones, whose contract situation remains unresolved. However, after their top three targets committed elsewhere, the club finds itself in a difficult position in its search for a reliable centre-forward.

Khadija Shaw was initially the top target for Sonia Bompastor’s side. The Manchester City star seemed destined to join Chelsea as her contract neared its end, but after leading City to their first Women’s Super League title in a decade and completing a domestic double, Shaw announced she would stay—with that decision ending Chelsea’s hopes.

Attention then turned to Felicia Schroder, the 19-year-old Swedish sensation who scored 30 goals and provided nine assists as Hacken won the Damallsvenskan title last year, before helping them win the inaugural Europa Cup in May. Chelsea reportedly made a world-record bid for the teenager, but Real Madrid ultimately secured her signature, announcing her arrival last week.

Bad luck came in threes for Chelsea, as Salma Paralluelo also turned down their offer. The Spain international, who scored twice in last month’s Champions League final, opted against joining the Blues following the expiration of her Barcelona contract. She remains one of Europe’s most sought-after players and is now likely to join another major club.

So where does this leave Chelsea? What is next for Bompastor’s side as they attempt to recover from their lowest-scoring WSL campaign in seven years and their first season without a title in just as long? Options are already running thin in the market, even early in the summer.

Underwhelming numbers

The statistics tell the story: Chelsea struggled badly in front of goal last season. Their total of 44 league goals was their lowest since the 2018–19 campaign, which also ended without a title. Only Leicester City, West Ham, and London City Lionesses underperformed more in front of goal based on expected goals data. Chelsea also had the third-lowest shot conversion rate in the league, ahead of only Leicester and West Ham.

There were mitigating factors. Kerr was returning from a 20-month injury layoff and needed time to regain form. Ramirez missed the entire season with a hamstring problem, while Beever-Jones and Macario also faced injury setbacks. This forced Bompastor to use Lauren James and Alyssa Thompson out of position as makeshift strikers at times.

One stand-out name remaining

Chelsea’s focus on strengthening the centre-forward spot was clear, so there was some surprise that the club didn’t reinforce in January. Shaw’s link made sense, given the scarcity of proven strikers, but she stayed in Manchester. Schroder was next on the wishlist, but her move to Madrid was confirmed despite Chelsea’s substantial bid.

Paralluelo was another target, but according to reports in The Athletic, she rejected Chelsea’s proposal as it fell short of her wage expectations—reportedly over £1 million per year. The 22-year-old, capable of playing centrally or out wide, remains a player of immense potential, though she is still developing consistency. Arsenal, Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain, and London City are all reportedly interested, while Chelsea seem to be looking for better value elsewhere.

Few other elite candidates

So, where can Chelsea look next? One potential option could be Marie-Antoinette Katoto at Lyon. The French striker, who joined OL from PSG last summer after becoming PSG’s all-time top scorer with 180 goals in 223 matches, scored just six league goals and one in the Champions League during her debut season. Despite limited starts due to competition from Ada Hegerberg, Katoto remains a proven finisher.

Lyon are unlikely to sell, given Katoto is only one year into a four-year deal, but her situation could attract Chelsea’s interest if they seek an elite-level forward not entirely settled at her current club.

Ready for the next step

Outside Katoto, options at the top level are scarce. Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride has just one year remaining on her contract in the United States, which could make her a target, though prising her away from Florida would be difficult. Temwa Chawinga, meanwhile, recently extended her stay with Kansas City Current after back-to-back NWSL MVP and Golden Boot seasons.

Another name worth watching is Romee Leuchter. The 25-year-old joined PSG in 2024 and initially played second fiddle to Katoto before becoming the main striker last season, scoring 18 goals in 17 starts to top the French league’s scoring charts. With her contract entering its final year, she could be an attractive option for Chelsea.

Looking for high potential?

If Chelsea opt to pursue youthful potential again, as they did with Schroder, the challenge will be finding another prodigy of her calibre. One prospect who fits that mould is Michelle Agyemang, the 20-year-old England international from Arsenal. Despite recovering from an ACL injury, she impressed at Euro 2025, helping the Lionesses retain their title.

However, breaking into Arsenal’s first team is difficult, especially with Selina Cerci expected to join a forward line already featuring Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius. Signing Agyemang would be a long shot for Chelsea, but her progress will surely be monitored closely by top clubs.

There are other young strikers available, though most remain unproven and would represent a gamble—particularly for a team needing immediate impact.

Targets dwindling

All is not lost for Chelsea. Despite speculation linking her with Real Madrid earlier this year, Mayra Ramirez remains at the club, and Schroder’s move to Spain likely cools Madrid’s interest in the Colombian. After a frustrating season sidelined by injury, Ramirez’s recent appearances for Colombia in June are an encouraging sign. Her performances from the 2024–25 campaign demonstrated her value, and Bompastor will hope she can rediscover that form in 2026–27.

Beever-Jones is also expected to stay, even though her contract renewal has yet to be confirmed. James and Thompson remain backup options up front. Still, as last season proved, a couple of injuries can quickly expose Chelsea’s lack of depth and derail their title ambitions.

If the Blues are to reclaim the WSL crown, they must secure a striker who can deliver goals immediately. The question remains—who will that be? Right now, the answer is anything but clear.