Chelsea Beckons: Victor Osimhen Shows Interest in Joining the Blues
Victor Osimhen has emerged as a primary target for Chelsea as they intensify their pursuit of a new striker, according to reports from The Telegraph. Osimhen, currently at Napoli, is believed to be open to a move to West London due to emerging tensions at his current club.
The report suggests that Chelsea’s interest in the Nigerian international stems from his potential availability and the complications arising at Napoli. Despite limited game time due to injury this season, Osimhen’s projected cost could surpass £100 million, placing him at the top of Pochettino’s list for reinforcements.
Napoli, despite internal conflicts, is adamant about not selling Osimhen at a reduced price, given his pivotal role in their previous Serie A triumph. His impressive record of 26 goals and 5 assists in 32 appearances last season emphasizes his significance to the Italian side.
However, the 24-year-old striker is approaching the final 18 months of his contract, valued at just over £90,000-per-week. This contract situation has sparked interest from Chelsea, seeing a potential opportunity to engage Napoli in negotiations during the upcoming transfer window.
Challenges have arisen in Osimhen’s contract discussions with Napoli, increasing the likelihood of him rejecting a contract extension. This has buoyed Pochettino’s hopes of securing the player’s services in 2024.
While Arsenal has also engaged in discussions for Osimhen, Chelsea seems inclined to wait until the summer before delving into negotiations. Their strategy might involve capitalizing on Osimhen’s decreasing value as his contract edges closer to expiry.
Journalist Dean Jones speculates on Osimhen’s potential interest in a move to Chelsea but expresses uncertainties about the Blues’ willingness to meet the financial demands of the deal. He suggests that Chelsea’s recent acquisition, Christopher Nkunku, could influence their decision-making regarding the pursuit of Osimhen, depending on Nkunku’s performance and impact within the team.