Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has not shied away from using his deep pockets to overhaul the Chelsea squad over the past two transfer windows. With the summer transfer window coming, Boehly is expected to flex his financial muscle again, this time to sign a striker, potentially eyeing a deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
Chelsea broke the bank in order to sign Enzo Fernandez, paying a total of €121 million to Benfica. Although the payment will be made in installments, it is a Premier League record fee that has been paid by Chelsea.
Boehly has spent over £500 million in two transfer windows to overhaul the squad and bring players like Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and many other exciting names to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will have to break the bank to sign Victor Osimhen
This summer, Chelsea’s priority remains to sign a striker. The Blues have been deprived of a focal presence up top as Kai Havertz is not able to grasp the opportunity and provide the desired threat up front. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not a part of Graham Potter’s plans. Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is on loan at Inter Milan but the Nerazzurri have no plans to sign the Belgian on a permanent basis.
Lukaku doesn’t feature in Chelsea’s future plans and the Blues are scouting the market for a reliable and a lethal goalscorer. The name of Victor Osimhen has been picking up momentum as the Nigerian ace tears up the Serie A apart with his enthralling performances. Osimhen has been one of the pillars of Napoli’s Serie A charge this season as Luciano Spalletti’s side are cantering towards their first Scudetto since 1989-90 season.
According to 90min, Osimhen is Chelsea’s top transfer target in the summer. The 24 year old has scored 25 goals in 29 games this season and is the Serie A top scorer. The Nigerian has two years left on his current deal and Napoli are bracing for bids in the summer.
Manchester United are also in the chase to sign Osimhen and are ready for a transfer battle with Chelsea. The 24 year old’s stock has skyrocketed thanks to his staggering numbers and splendid form. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is a shrewd businessman and he will look to make the maximum profit from Osimhen’s sale.
As things stand, Chelsea will have to break the bank again in order to sign the Nigerian. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Napoli value Osimhen upwards of €150 million. If Chelsea do end up paying €150 million for the 24 year old, he will become the third most expensive transfer in the history, behind Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea will be able to pay such a huge sum or they can negotiate a lower fee because at this point the dark clouds of FFP hover around the club finances.
Will Chelsea manage to sign Victor Osimhen?