Chelsea want record-breaking Champions League striker who Zlatan Ibrahimovic loves

Chelsea are showing an interest in a young striker who became the youngest Italian to feature in the Champions League.

The Blues have become well-known for shopping for some of the best young talent on the planet, developing that reputation since BlueCo completed the acquisition of the club in 2022.

That particular strategy continued during the 2026 summer transfer window, when six of the signings Xabi Alonso completed were aged 23 or under, and it appears the Spaniard isn't stopping there when it comes to building a squad with the future in mind.

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Who is Chelsea target Francesco Camarda?

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea have shown admiration for AC Milan striker Francesco Camarda, who has previously attracted interest from Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United, before the teenage starlet opted to stay in Milan.

Widely regarded as one of Europe's most promising teenage strikers, Camarda has already made history in two different competitions, despite only just turning 18. He became the youngest player in Serie A history when making his Milan debut against Fiorentina in November 2023, at the age of 15 years and 260 days.

At 16 years and 226 days, the striker then became the youngest Italian debutant in the Champions League when he featured in Europe’s premier competition, showcasing why he is so highly regarded by those close to him.

Camarda agreed a long-term contract with Milan in 2024 and spent last season on loan at Lecce, who exercised an option to buy him before the Italian giants reactivated their buy-back clause to bring the centre-forward back to the club.

Shortly after, the teenage sensation made his senior Italy debut under Silvio Bandini in a 1-0 win over Luxembourg, before coming off the bench again during another 1-0 victory against Greece.

Naturally, Camarda's rapid development has stolen headlines, but it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for the precocious talent. TEAMtalk have revealed that the striker hasn't seen the level of first-team football 'he would have hoped for' so far this term, appearing for just eight minutes in Serie A.

Despite this, Milan 'remain committed' to the 2008-born centre-forward and aren't actively looking to sell, though BlueCo could test their resolve as they continue to keep a close eye on developments.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic tipped Francesco Camarda for a big future

Camarda has already made 18 first-team appearances for AC Milan, but given his talent and incredible potential, the towering striker wants to quickly add to that total.

A scorer of four goals in as many matches for Italy's under-21s, Milan's No. 73 has already caught the eye of several high-profile names in world football, including arguably one of the club's best-ever strikers, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swedish maverick scored 93 goals in 163 appearances for the Italian giants, and, when discussing Camarda's talent in July 2024, the 44-year-old remarkably claimed that he's "more talented" than he was at the same age.

"He’s more talented than I was at his age. It’s important for us; it’s the future of Milan. He doesn’t have all the responsibilities on him, but he is still young,” Ibrahimovic said, when Camarda was only 16.

“We want to protect him, make him grow, and make him become what he can become. He is very hungry and wants to improve. You have to take it step by step with him."

Camarda will have had an exceptional career if he even comes close to emulating what Ibrahimovic achieved, who is currently an advisor to AC Milan's board.