Osimhen played a key role in Napoli’s league success last season (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea are convinced Victor Osimhen is prepared to join them but the Blues will likely have to wait until the summer to bring him to the Premier League.
The Nigeria international was targeted by both Chelsea and Manchester United during the summer transfer window but Napoli’s huge valuation – reported to have been around £130million – promptly halted offers from English sides.
Osimhen was also keen to stay in Serie A after playing a key role in Napoli’s Serie A success having scored 31 goals in all competitions.
The 24-year-old remains a target for both United and Chelsea but according to the Evening Standard, the Blues have been encouraged that the striker wants a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea may have to wait, however. Despite Osimhen’s relationship with Napoli becoming strained this season, the club still value him at over £100m and are unlikely to negotiate a January exit.
Chelsea are still to decide whether to move for another option up front in January and are keeping their options open with the form of Nicolas Jackon, Armando Broja and Chrostopher Nkunku, soon to return from injury, a factor.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are also among those interested in Brentford’s Ivan Toney while Club Brugge’s Antonio Nusa is another possible option.
Toney also on Chelsea’s radar (Picture: Getty)
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been doing his part to convince Osimhen to join the west London side.
‘We’re crying out for him,’ Mikel said on The Obi One Podcast, where Osimhen was his guest.
‘You look at our Chelsea team, we’re not playing that great at the minute but then we lack goals, we lack a striker who can run into spaces, who can create.
‘I was watching Darwin Nunez for Liverpool, he had about 11 shots and all the runs he made, he created those chances by himself because he was running in behind.
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‘That’s something Victor will give us at Chelsea, a striker who is really willing to run behind, obviously those passes will come through and he will get goals.
‘I think we’re crying out for goals, if he comes to Chelsea I think it will suit him really well because we don’t have anyone doing that right now so there’s not going to be too much pressure on him coming into the club because obviously we need that, we’re crying out for that.
‘You know, my advice is for him to come to Chelsea.’
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