Chelsea target Victor Osimhen opens the door for a possible summer exit from Napoli
As quoted by Evening Standard, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has hinted at the possibility of moving in the summer amidst interest from Chelsea.
A couple of weeks ago, Metro reported that Chelsea and Manchester United are massively interested in the 24-year-old, who is having a season of his life for Napoli.
A few days after that report though, the Italian club’s president Aurelio de Laurentiis confirmed that they are not under any pressure to sell their key assets.
Here’s what Osimhen said when asked about the interests of some of the top clubs in Europe (h/t Evening Standard):
“When you are doing so well, top clubs around the world are watching, mostly in the top five leagues. And to be able to attract interest from these top clubs shows that I am doing great and it gives me the motivation to do even more for myself and my team.
“But I am focused on Napoli right now and they have the final say. I just want to help my team to win matches and win trophies. At the end of the season, we will see what is going to happen, but that is not up to me. It is for the club to decide.”
It is a standard quote from a player who knows big clubs are coming for him (with all due respect to Napoli). He pledged his focus on the Serie A leaders but did not close the door on a possible summer move.
One thing is clear the Nigerian international won’t come for cheap. Metro reported that he would cost somewhere around £100m or more if someone like Chelsea want to sign him in the summer.
The former Lille striker is the top scorer in the Serie A right now, with 18 goals from 19 appearances. He has assisted with four goals in the process as well. He is the hottest property when it comes to strikers in the European football market.
When it comes to strikers and scoring goals, Chelsea are oblivion to it. Senior striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not playing games, while David Datro Fofana gets sporadic game time. Graham Potter’s men have scored only six goals in 11 games since the World Cup.
More Chelsea News:
- Chelsea are yet to open talks with Joao Felix for a permanent deal
- Chelsea set to battle Tottenham for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson
- Richard Keys urges Chelsea to replace Graham Potter with Jose Mourinho
So, it is clear that the club needs to go after signing Osimhen in the summer. Otherwise, it would be a big mistake. One can argue that the Blues are a potent striker away from being good again.