Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - March 11, 2023. Napoli's Victor Osimhen celebrates after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scores.
Chelsea are ‘very much tracking’ Napoli striker Victor Osimhen ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs.
The Lowdown: Premier League dream
The Nigerian international’s contract in the Serie A isn’t set to expire until 2025, but being Luciano Spalletti’s top-performing offensive player, has caught the eye of Graham Potter.
The 24-year-old recently admitted that it’s his dream to one day complete a move to the top flight, and it sounds like Todd Boehly could use this to his advantage to entice him to Stamford Bridge and make that dream a reality.
The Latest: Jacobs shares the latest
Speaking to TEAMtalk, Jacobs name-checked Chelsea, alongside Manchester United, as the two clubs firmly in the race to sign Osimhen, also reaffirming the striker’s “dream”.
He said:
“I think that Manchester United and Chelsea are two Premier League clubs very much tracking Osimhen. They’re aware that it’s not going to be easy to get a deal done at value with Napoli. But no doubt they will play into the fact that Osimhen does dream of moving to the Premier League. I don’t think it’s absolutely guaranteed that he will move in the summer compared to 2024.
“Because even if the player had his interest piqued by a concrete offer, you’ve got to agree a fee with Napoli who are one of the toughest negotiators in all of European football.
“But it clearly helps the suitors that Osimhen is thinking about the Premier League and has now said that on record. So there will be something concrete for Osimhen come the summer for sure.”
Should Chelsea sign Osimhen?
Yes!
No!
The Verdict: Splash the cash
Chelsea know that Osimhen won’t come cheap, but having been dubbed a ‘goal machine’ by journalist Mimi Fawaz, they have to splash the cash to secure his services.
The Italian giants’ forward has netted 19 times and provided five assists in just 22 league appearances this season and ranks in the 99th percentile for most shots per game.
The Lagos native would also add versatility to the squad, having operated in four various positions throughout his career, including out wide on both the left and right flanks.
Osimhen is the exact profile of prolific striker that Potter has been missing this season and he would be the perfect player to put pen to paper to fill that position ahead of the 2023/24 term.
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