Chelsea have sent scouts to watch 20-year-old Monaco striker Paris Brunner, who has scored eight goals in ten games this season, and they are far from the only club tracking him.
The German forward has attracted the attention of Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, and three Premier League sides are also interested, according to Sports Mole, citing journalist Akram Konur: Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Of the three, it’s the Blues who go beyond just admiring him from afar.
Paris Brunner’s numbers in Monaco
Brunner is enjoying a great 2026-27 campaign in Monaco. He has eight goals in ten games in all competitions, four of which have come in six matches in Ligue 1.
These figures put him on the radar of several leading European clubs. Dortmund have been linked with a move to bring the Dortmund-born striker back to Germany, with PSG also big fans.
Although he was not selected for the last meetings of the national team, he is also in the squad of Germany.
What will Paris Brunner cost?
Monaco know exactly what they have. The princely club have set an initial asking price and are not looking to sell Brunner for less than £25.5m (€30m).
That’s more than double his current market value of £12.8m (€15m), so any buyer will pay a premium for form rather than reputation.
The Monaco number 29 is under contract until June 2028, leaving the French side in a strong position. However, they will not be opposed to selling in January 2027, although an exit at the end of this season seems more logical. This will allow Monaco to keep him for a few more months and hopefully watch his price rise further.
“Chelsea” took the first step
No official offer came from “Chelsea”. Instead, the Blues sent emissaries to watch Brunner in person, although the match or matches they were involved in were not named.
At this stage, they are still one step ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham, whose interests do not go beyond that.
It also brings Chelsea into direct competition with PSG once again, with the French club already on loan for Estevao in January.
Is Paris Brunner the striker Chelsea need?
I like it. A 20-year-old scoring at that rate in Ligue 1 for £25.5m is the kind of deal that could be seen as a bargain over two years, and Chelsea are in a better position than most to take that gamble.
Time is of the essence though. Xabi Alonso’s side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties at Anfield this week and a forward who could develop into that role over the next 18 months would be more a long-term plan than a quick fix.
Danger awaits. If Brunner continues to score in the winter, Monaco’s £25.5m floor will not be the final price in the summer, while PSG and Dortmund will not stand still. If Chelsea really value him, January could be a cheaper time to make a move.