Chelsea set to sign Victor Osimhen under potential head coach Mauricio Pochetinno

Victor Osimhen of Napoli is the target of an ambitious move from Chelsea, as new manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking to add a striker. Pochettino will have the money to bolster his team after arriving in London this week to secure a three-year contract. Chelsea wants a goalie, upgrades in the centre of the pitch, and a strong No. 9. Since trading Diego Costa in 2017, they have struggled inside the final third and lacked a potent striker. 

Osimhen has been on the radar of Chelsea, who are facing a losing struggle to maintain Mason Mount, for some time. With 23 goals within 29 league games, the Nigerian striker has been essential to Napoli’s rout to the Serie A championship this season. Osimhen has had success in the past against Chelsea, scoring against them for Lille in the Champions League in 2019.

However, it won’t be simple to remove the 24-year-old from Napoli, who will probably seek a hefty amount. After making it all the way to the quarterfinals in the Champions League this year, Napoli will aim to defend their championship successfully and try to compete. Given that they won’t be competing in Europe, Chelsea needs to market themselves to possible suitors. Bayern Munich will be a competitor for Osimhen. Although Manchester United is intrigued, Harry Kane of Tottenham remains their first priority.

There might be doubts about Osimhen’s ability to adjust to English football. When Romelu Lukaku arrives after his loan at Internazionale, Chelsea will also need to decide what to do with the striker. Uncertainty surrounds if Lukaku, who will receive a chance under Pochettino, will be returned on loan to Inter. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will additionally have to be moved by Chelsea.

Chelsea has a lot of wide players and attacking midfielders, but they lack a centre of attention. They also have Lautaro Martnez of Inter and Ivan Toney of Brentford on their short list. Toney, though, may face a protracted suspension from the Football Association following pleading guilty to several violations of the organisation’s betting laws.