Chelsea face striker crisis as goal-shy club warned off Icardi AND Wilson

Eddie Howe confirmed he would not sell the Bournemouth striker for any price and Inter Milan's president played down the speculation linking Icardi with a move to the Bridge.

Maurizio Sarri is desperate to land a new striker because the Blues have scored fewer goals than any other team in the top six of the Premier League.

It is reported that Chelsea will pay up to £50million for Wilson if they do not land top target Gonzalo Higauin. 

But Bournemouth boss Howe has claimed that he is not willing to sell the 26-year-old this month.

He said: "It's just my opinion but I wouldn't sell at any price.

"But I'm the manager of the team, trying to create the best team I can.

"We desperately want to take the team forward and to do that, we have to keep our best players.

"He's a very important member of the team. He has unique attributes which really compliment what we do.

"He has been a really good goalscorer for us, which is the hardest thing to do in the sport. We value him very highly.

Callum Wilson vs Mauro Icardi league records since 2015

Callum Wilson

Games played: 81

Minutes played: 5780

Goals: 28

Assists: 7

Shots: 143

On target: 57

Conversion rate (%): 19.58


Mauro Icardi

Games played: 117

Minutes played: 9905

Goals: 78

Assists: 15

Shots: 311

On target: 138

Conversion rate (%): 25.08


"I've been told something about the speculation – it's not something which I seek to read. It's a waste of time for me to do so.

"It's business as normal. Callum has been bright and bubbly this week so there are no problems there."

Inter Milan ace Icardi has also been linked to Chelsea, but the striker's wife and agent has revealed he is "very far" from reaching a deal.

And club president Steven Zhang advised fans to keep calm as he discussed a contract renewal for the Argentine ace.

He said: "Mauro is our captain, soon we will all meet up and talk about his contract.

"There are a lot of things being reported in the newspapers but some of the things are not true.

"We are not locked in talks with the player and everything is OK.

"Do the fans have to worry? No, they can be calm. Absolutely"

Struggling Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata looks set to leave this month – with Barcelona also now interested in the 26-year-old.


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