Chelsea have reportedly added Napoli striker Victor Osimhen to their list of potential transfer targets in the January window.
The Blues are still seeking reinforcements up front despite signing Nicolas Jackson for £30m in the summer, while Armando Broja is also regaining full fitness.
Osimhen’s future at Napoli was plunged into doubt last month after a row over the club’s TikTok account.
The striker was the subject of two offensive clips shared on the social media app, with the first seemingly deriding him for missing a penalty late last month. The second then labelled him a ‘coconut’ and has been viewed as a racial slur.
His agent threatened to sue the Serie A side in the wake of the fallout and Napoli responded by insisting that no offence was intended, though they did not apologise. Napoli’s social media executive has since stepped down from his role.
Chelsea have added Napoli striker Victor Osimhen to their list of potential transfer targets
Osimhen’s future at Napoli is in doubt over controversial TikTok videos posted by the club
Ivan Toney is reportedly under consideration by Chelsea as they eye attacking reinforcements
According to ESPN, Chelsea are interested in pursuing a move for the unsettled forward in January.
Signing Osimhen would be a significant boost to Chelsea’s forward options, after he scored 26 goals for Napoli last season to inspire the club to the Serie A title.
Osimhen is believed to be valued by his club at around £150m, but Napoli could be forced to enter talks with his contract expiring in the summer of 2025.
The Blues also reportedly hold an interest in Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who has been linked with a move to London rivals Arsenal.
Mail Sport understands Saudi Arabian clubs will lead the chase to land Osimhen should he be available in the January transfer window.
Real Madrid also hold an interest in Osimhen as the Spanish giants seek reinforcements in attack after Benzema’s departure.
Any pursuit by Chelsea would be complicated by a new wage structure introduced by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital following their takeover in 2022.
Chelsea’s owners have implemented an incentivised pay structure to player contracts linked to Champions League qualification.
The Blues have pursued longer contracts on significantly lower wages for new signings, despite forking out over £1billion in transfer fees across three windows.
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