Chelsea have reportedly added Napoli’s star forward, Victor Osimhen, to their list of potential January transfer targets, according to sources.
The Premier League giants are actively seeking a center-forward to bolster their squad and have already been monitoring Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal.
Osimhen, who has earned a reputation as one of the most promising strikers in Europe, delivered an impressive performance last season, netting 26 goals in 32 league games, which significantly contributed to Napoli clinching their first Serie A title since 1990. The Nigerian striker’s remarkable form has continued into the current season, with six goals in just 10 games.
Napoli, keen to retain their prized asset, has set a lofty price tag on Osimhen, reportedly in the vicinity of £120 million ($147.7 million), which surpasses Toney’s valuation by approximately £40 million.
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Chelsea, despite their considerable summer spending, including the £52 million acquisition of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, are eager to further strengthen their attacking options. Nkunku, who is expected to return early in the New Year following knee surgery, is set to contend with Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja for the lead role in Chelsea’s attack.
The race to secure Osimhen’s signature in January remains uncertain, with both Chelsea and Arsenal potentially interested in his services. Real Madrid has also been linked with an interest in the forward. Much will depend on the progress of negotiations with Brentford over Ivan Toney.
Napoli, for their part, aims to hold on to Osimhen at least until the next summer transfer window as they seek to secure a new contract for the 24-year-old striker. However, discussions have encountered obstacles, initially stemming from the size of the release clause that Osimhen desires.
Subsequently, they were hampered by a TikTok post that the club later deleted, which appeared to mock the player after he missed a penalty in a 0-0 draw against Bologna last month. This led to condemnation from Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, and a formal apology from Napoli officials.
Osimhen’s current contract is set to expire in June 2025, and any prolonged delay in signing a new deal could provide hope to interested clubs that they may be able to secure his services when the January transfer window opens.
