Chelsea have made a surprising late move in the transfer market by targeting Napoli’s star striker, Victor Osimhen. This development comes despite the club already spending €189 million on 12 new signings this summer.
Following Pedro Neto’s arrival from Wolverhampton for €60 million, Chelsea’s pursuit of strengthening their attack took an unexpected turn after Samu Omorodion returned to Atletico Madrid, having initially joined the Blues.
Osimhen has become Chelsea’s top target, even though manager Enzo Maresca had originally favored a different type of striker. According to Calciomercato, Chelsea proposed a loan deal with an option to buy for Osimhen, but Napoli’s owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is firm on requiring an offer close to the striker’s €130 million release clause.
The negotiations with Napoli are further complicated by Chelsea’s interest in offloading Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker, who spent last season on loan at Roma, could be involved in a potential swap deal with Napoli. Lukaku is keen to reunite with former manager Antonio Conte in Naples, which could facilitate the deal.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen is part of a broader strategy to enhance their attacking options, with the Nigerian forward seen as a key addition to their squad. The club’s aggressive approach in the transfer market reflects their ambition to compete at the highest level in the upcoming season