Speculation surrounding the future of Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson rose again on Sunday after he missed his side’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.
A hamstring issue was the official reason given by manager Eddie Howe but reported interest from Chelsea has caused William Hill to cut the forward from 6/1 (7.0) to 7/4 (2.75) to join the Blues this transfer window.
Wilson is still 2/5 (from 1/9) to stay on the south coast amidst reports that the Cherries are holding out for a £75 million transfer fee, considerably more than the £50 million Chelsea are rumoured to be willing to pay.
GettyThe 26-year-old is certainly having the best Premier League season of his career, with the nine goals he has netted already more than in any of the previous three campaigns.
Previously, the most the Bournemouth striker had scored in a single Premier League season was eight goals in 28 appearances last term, whilst his previous 33 games yielded 11 strikes.
Overall, Wilson has 28 goals in 81 top flight appearances with just five coming from the penalty spot – although that tally, along with his injury record, may be enough to put Chelsea off paying up to £75 million.
Getty ImagesWilson ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in September 2015, missing six months of action, before missing a further eight months in 2017 with the same injury in his left knee.
However, with Alvaro Morata having netted just five league goals in 16 matches and Olivier Giroud bagging just once in 17, Maurizio Sarri could be getting desperate for a new striker.
Eden Hazard is leading the way with 10 goals whilst Chelsea’s tally of 40 Premier League goals is by far the fewest in the top six. With just 13 of those coming in the last 11 matches, the need for a goalscorer is evident.
William Hill