Chelsea Circle Back on Brentford's Thiago as Porto Striker Falls Out of Favour

Chelsea are dusting off their playbook to make a fresh move for Brentford's Igor Thiago this summer, having shelved plans to pursue Porto's Samu Aghehowa following his serious injury setback.

The Blues initially considered the Brazilian forward before he completed his switch from Club Brugge to the Gtech Community Stadium in July 2024. Though his first season proved disrupted by fitness troubles, Thiago has flourished this term and sits firmly on Chelsea's radar once more.

The 24-year-old has plundered 18 league goals in 29 outings, placing him second in the Premier League's scoring standings—a distant second to Manchester City's Erling Haaland, admittedly. Six of those strikes have arrived from the penalty spot, yet his overall contribution remains undeniably impressive.

Chelsea's summer shopping list now includes a fresh push for Thiago, with the club intensifying their hunt for a new centre-forward. Manchester City and Bayern Munich have also declared their interest in the Brazilian, though Brentford remain reluctant to part with their prized asset. Still, everything carries a price in football, and the Bees will likely demand a substantial fee for a player they regard as possessing world-class potential and among their finest-ever acquisitions.

The Samu situation has effectively collapsed. The Porto striker is facing an extended spell sidelined following ACL surgery and may not feature again in 2026, rendering any move to Stamford Bridge impossible this window.

Elsewhere, Chelsea's striker cupboard remains somewhat bare. Emmanuel Emegha's arrival from Strasbourg was agreed, with teammate Joaquin Panichelli also catching the club's eye, yet concerns persist—both regarding Emegha's recurring thigh complaint and whether either Frenchman possesses the calibre to lead a title charge.

Nicolas Jackson will return from his Bayern Munich loan spell this summer, though the Bavarians have declined to make the arrangement permanent. Chelsea have already tipped off the Senegal international that they intend to move him on, and Jackson appears receptive to a fresh start elsewhere.

Joao Pedro and Liam Delap currently occupy Chelsea's striking ranks. The former has been in scintillating form recently, contributing eight goals and five assists across his last eight league appearances, whilst proving capable of operating as a number ten when required. Delap, by contrast, has disappointed since his arrival. The 23-year-old has managed just two goals this season and has attracted unwanted headlines for disciplinary matters, making him vulnerable to being usurped by a more commanding signing.

A fresh centre-forward remains a priority heading into the off-season, and Thiago represents an enticing proposition.