Two-time UEFA Champions League winners, Chelsea, have not given up on their pursuit of Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.
Over the past few months, the 25-year-old forward has garnered the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at the forefront of the race for the former LOSC Lille bid.
Ligue 1 Champions, PSG, have reached an agreement with Osimhen over personal terms, leaving the final details to be completed with Napoli’s board, as they’re unable to match up with his his €130m release clause.
Chelsea have been long-term admirers of the former Vfl Wolfsburg man, but their interest grew cold as they looked to have turned their attention to cheaper alternatives like Jhon Duran and Sam Omodiron.
As per Caught Offside, Chelsea are hoping PSG’s negotiations with Napoli can tempt the Italian side to have Osimhens release clause reduced, so as to step in and try to hijack the deal.
Osimhen is expected to leave Italy this summer, and Chelsea are well aware that PSG are ahead of them in the race for his signature. The Blues are desperate for a striker, and despite their links to several alternative targets, an official bid is yet to be made for any one of them.
In the meantime, Enzo Maresca’s team are looking to free up wage bills and gain some funds from the sale of Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku to go for their preferred option up-front, Victor Osimhen.
The CAF 2023 Player of the Year missed Antonio Conte’s first pre-season game due to a lack of fitness but was in the stands to watch his teammates play.
