One journalist believes Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is destined to join Chelsea, while Fabrizio Romano has said €100million will be nowhere near enough to sign him.
Osimhen is one of the hottest strikers in Europe having fired Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990.
Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are all said to be interested in signing the Nigerian international.
However, he is expected to cost more than £100m, which has put some clubs off.
Chelsea are in dire need of a new No. 9 and have shown they are willing to spend big in the transfer market under Todd Boehly.
This has understandably made the Blues one of the frontrunners for Osimhen’s signature, even without European football next season.
Speaking to the Chasing Green Arrows Podcast, Graeme Bailey said the 24-year-old appears to be Chelsea-bound.
Bailey was actually discussing Newcastle United’s interest in his Napoli teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before mentioning the Nigerian.
“You know, they (Newcastle) have looked at Napoli, Kvaratskhelia, Kvaradona as we call him, he’s more one they have looked at quite intensively,” he said.
“Osimhen, from what we hear is that it’s going to be hard for him to not go to Chelsea at this point.
“With Newcastle they are asking the question about a lot of these players, that underlines that they don’t have a £75m budget.”
Despite winning the Serie A title, Napoli are on the search for a new manager.
Furthermore, they could be set to lose their director of football Cristiano Giuntoli, who has reportedly agreed a five-year deal with rivals Juventus.
Fabrizio Romano says this could hinder any club’s pursuit of Osimhen.
“For Victor Osimhen it’s important to know that to understand the final price tag, what’s going to be crucial is to understand more about the Napoli manager,” Romano told The United Stand.
“Because before they decide if they’re going to let him go or what price tag he will have, you have to pick the new manager and understand what’s going to happen with the director of football.
“The director of football is crucial to decide on these kinds of deals and Napoli still hasn’t clarified whether they will continue with their current or hire someone else.
“I think this is going to be very important in the final price tag. I see the rumours of 100m euros, but I’m told that’s absolutely not enough. Napoli will only sell the player if they can get a Serie A record.”
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