- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Victor Osimhen remains Chelsea’s top striker target this summer and they are continuing to work hard on a deal for the Nigerian superstar.
The 25-year-old has long been Chelsea’s top choice to fill their perceived void at number 9, with seven other names on the club’s radar, including Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and World Cup winner, Lauturo Martinez.
Victor Osimhen signed a new long-term deal around Christmas with Napoli, but that also included a release clause worth around £110million.
Whilst a club might not have to pay the release clause to land Osimhen – they know that he will cost in excess of £100million. That is actually key for Chelsea – Profit and Sustainability rules mean they could pay the entire fee in one lump sum.
After winning Serie A last season and helping Napoli end a three-decade wait to become champions, life has been much tougher for the team this term, especially after the departure of Luciano Spalletti.
Napoli are sitting seventh in the Serie A table – a mammoth 31 points behind runaway leaders Inter.
But that hasn’t stopped Osimhen from still showcasing his goalscoring prowess. He has 11 goals from 17 league games this term and 13 overall.
Other striker targets if Victor Osimhen doesn’t sign
HITC understands that Osimhen is very much Chelsea’s preferred option – but they have warned his entourage that the budget is not unlimited due to financial constraints.
As it stands, Chelsea and French giants Paris Saint-Germain are the leading candidates to land Osimhen and talks with intermediaries have been ongoing since January – as HITC revealed.
Chelsea have continued to watch Osimhen in action and that has only persuaded them that he is right for them.
However, while Osimhen is their top target – Chelsea have and are continuing to do work on other targets as they realise the deal for the African superstar is complex and not guaranteed at this stage.
It is understood Ivan Toney, Viktor Gyokeres, Lois Openda, Benjamin Sesko, Lauturo Martinez, Evan Ferguson and Alexander Isak are among those on their radar.
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