Chelsea have made Napoli striker Victor Osimhen their no.1 target this summer as they look to pull of an audacious move for the Nigerian striker.
Osimhen has helped power Napoli to their first Serie A title in 30 years this campaign, netting 23 times in 29 games to spearhead his side to the trophy.
And major European clubs have taken notice, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich also thought to be big admirers of the 24-year-old.
SSC Napoli’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen controls the ball during the Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Naples, Italy, on 11 September 2021 2GJRC82 SSC Napoli’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen controls the ball during the Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Naples, Italy, on 11 September 2021 (Alamy Stock Photo)
According to the Guardian, however, it is Chelsea who are plotting an ambitious move for the striker as they look to give incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino a strong striker option, with scoring goals currently a major Achilles heel for the club.
Though the future of Romelu Lukaku (currently on loan at Inter Milan from Chelsea) is unclear, the Blues are expected to bring in a new striker this summer, as well as a goalkeeper and midfielder, though having spent significantly in the past two windows they will need to shift plenty more players than they bring in.
Osimhen himself is keen on a move to England, as he has revealed on several occasions.
Despite their interest, however, Chelsea will have a hard time prising him out of Serie A.
Earlier this month, Aurelian De Laurentis, the notoriously difficult-to-deal-with Napoli president, ruled out selling the Nigerian.
“I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer – no way,” he told Rai Sport.
Other options for the Blues include Ivan Toney and Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, though there are question marks over both with Toney set for a potential ban for betting breaches and Martinez having several times professed his desire to remain at San Siro.