Sources: Major update on Chelsea bid to sign Victor Osimhen
Chelsea are set to put a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen on the backburner despite the player’s willingness to move to the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have revealed the Blues now see a deal for the 24-year-old as “too hard to do” in the summer window.
Chelsea’s focus in the off-season will be on clearing the decks and balancing the books, with Mauricio Pochettino expected to take the Stamford Bridge hot seat.
Football Insider sources revealed on Monday (8 May) that Pochettino’s appointment will be confirmed by the end of the week.
Napoli are expected to demand offers north of £100million in order to part with Osimhen following their Serie A title win this season.
The Nigeria international has previously gone public to speak about his “dream” of playing in the Premier League – comments which put the likes of Chelsea and Man United on high alert.
However, Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (10 May) that United see his price tag as too rich amid concerns over his lack of experience in England and injury record.
Osimhen has scored 28 goals in 35 games for Napoli this season – helping Gli Azzurri clinch their first Scudetto win since 1990.
The former Lille hitman only signed for the Italian side for a reported initial fee of around £61million back in 2020.
Chelsea’s goalscoring issues have been laid bare in a dismal 2022-23 season which has seen them sack Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
Kai Havertz is the Blues’ top scorer this term, but has only managed nine strikes across all competitions.
In other news, Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to seal behind-the-scenes hire.