Betting: Back Chelsea to still turn to Morata ahead of Aguero

With Diego Costa’s bridges all but burnt and Romelu Lukaku having spurned the chance to become his successor, Chelsea are in need of a new striker to build their attack around.

Having reportedly failed to convince Pep Guardiola of his own ability to lead the line, Sergio Aguero has emerged as a shock contender to fulfil that role with the Premier League champions.

However, despite Paddy Power’s narrow 7/4 (2.75) price on that move taking place this summer, it is difficult to see Manchester City selling such a valuable asset to a rival.

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Instead, a deal for Alvaro Morata seems far more achievable given Real Madrid’s apparent willingness to sell and the Spaniard’s openness to a move, making odds of 15/8 (2.88) on the previous Manchester United target arriving at Stamford Bridge look more attractive.

Similarly, Andrea Belotti could also surely be persuaded to leave Torino for a more high profile club after his prolific 26-goal season in Serie A, and is on offer at 21/10 (3.10) to achieve that with the Blues.

Alternatively, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available at 5/1 (6.00) to leave Borussia Dortmund for Antonio Conte’s side, having already rejected a lucrative move to China this summer.

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Meanwhile, fellow Bundesliga star Robert Lewandowski is priced at 9/1 (10.00) to trade Bayern Munich for Chelsea - a transfer that would certainly not come easy despite claims earlier in the summer that he was disgruntled in Bavaria.

With just one year left on his contract, Alexis Sanchez should in theory prove a more realistic target, although Arsenal’s reluctance to lose their star player to a fellow Premier League team makes him a 14/1 (15.00) long shot.

Having attracted the attention of Europe’s elite clubs following an impressive season at Celtic, former Fulham man Moussa Dembele can be backed at 16/1 (17.00) to return to West London with the Cottagers neighbours.