According to the Express, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is among the top targets for Chelsea as manager Mauricio Pochettino aims to acquire an established goal-scorer.
Osimhen has been Napoli’s standout performer for a while, and he solidified his status as one of Europe’s finest strikers in the previous season.
The 24-year-old scored an impressive 31 goals in 39 matches, playing a pivotal role in Napoli’s Serie A title win after a 30-year drought.
In the current season, the Nigerian ace has continued his prolific form, netting three goals in four appearances.
His outstanding performances have attracted the interest of Chelsea, who have placed him at the top of Pochettino’s list as they seek to sign a high-quality forward.
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However, securing Osimhen’s services won’t come cheap for Chelsea. Reportedly, Paris Saint-Germain showed interest in the African star over the summer but was informed that they would need to offer around £172 million for his signing.
The Italian giants signed their star player in the summer of 2020 from LOSC Lille, and he has since established himself as one of the top strikers in Italy. Therefore, the Serie A champions placing a high price tag on him comes as no surprise.
Recognizing the difficulty of securing Osimhen’s transfer, Chelsea are exploring other options as well. According to the report, Chelsea are also keeping an eye on Ivan Toney from Brentford and Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.
Currently, the West London club are closely monitoring the situations of these three players and will plan a move if an opportunity arises in the January transfer window.
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The Blues have struggled to find a consistent performer in the number nine position since Diego Costa’s tenure, with several players coming and going without meeting expectations.
While Romelu Lukaku was expected to solve their attacking problems, his stint at Chelsea was underwhelming.
This season, Pochettino has had to rely on Nicolas Jackson as Chelsea’s primary striker due to Christopher Nkunku’s injury.
However, Jackson’s goal-scoring record has been disappointing, with just one goal in five Premier League appearances.
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Even with the potential return of Nkunku or Armando Broja, there’s no guarantee that Chelsea’s issues will be resolved.
They are in need of a high-quality number nine who can consistently find the back of the net. Osimhen fits this profile and possesses the talent to play for top-tier teams worldwide.
