Chelsea line up last-minute bid for Viktor Gyokores’ Sporting understudy Conrad Harder amid Nicolas Jackson’s Bayern row

CHELSEA are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon striker Conrad Harder, according to reports.

The Blues could re-enter the transfer market for a forward following the injury suffered by Liam Delap against Fulham on Saturday.

Enzo Maresca’s side had been on the brink of loaning Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich, having deemed the 24-year-old to be surplus to requirements.

Jackson was allowed to travel to Germany for a medical yesterday, only for Chelsea to pull the plug on the deal upon Delap’s injury.

SunSport revealed that Jackson defied his club’s orders and stayed in Munich in a bid to push through the deal.

But Chelsea now have no intention of loaning the forward out.

According to The Athletic, however, a permanent bid for Jackson could yet still be entertained.

Should the former Villarreal man seal a Stamford Bridge exit, Blues chiefs will look to push through a deal for another striker.

Per David Ornstein, the West Londoners have made “multiple enquiries” for forwards – including Harder.

The Dane, 20, joined Sporting from Nordsjaelland 12 months ago for around £16.5million.

Harder played the role of Gyokeres’ understudy last season, starting just six league games.

But this season upon the Swede’s exit for Arsenal, Harder has stepped into his shoes by taking his No9 shirt.

The 6ft 1in Dane made his international debut in March, replacing Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu in a Nations League defeat to Portugal.

He subsequently featured in the Under-21 Euros over the summer, scoring twice in a 2-2 draw with Finland as Denmark reached the quarter-finals.

Should they fail to land a striker, Chelsea will be left with Joao Pedro and Jackson to choose from.

The Blues yesterday sealed a £40m swoop for Alejandro Garnacho from Man Utd.