Chelsea are ‘about to make an enquiry’ for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and could rival Man Utd and PSG

Chelsea look set to rival Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Victor Osimhen with reports suggesting they ‘are about to enquire about the Napoli striker’. 

The 24-year-old has attracted much attention from clubs around Europe thanks to his exceptional performances in Serie A this season, scoring 26 times in 32 league appearances to help Napoli win the Italian first division for the first time in 33 years. 

The Nigerian international is hot property, and after signing for the club in 2020 from Lille for £74million, Osimhen has only gone on to add to his value with United reportedly preparing a £130m bid for the striker as they look to secure a centre-forward following the departure of Wout Weghorst.

Mail Sport also understands that PSG are preparing a similar offer for the star striker, and Chelsea are also now set to enter the race as they too look to replenish their forward stocks this summer.

Sky Sports Journalist Massimo Marianella has revealed Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be picking up the phone to speak to Napoli about the Nigerian international, while it also seems Real Madrid will be bowing out, amid much speculation over Kylian Mbappe’s future. 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are currently undergoing a big summer clear out and are in the market for a new forward after their poor form in front of goal last season

It comes as Erik ten Hag’s side have been eyeing up a move for the Napoli striker for some time

‘In the last few hours in England they say that even Chelsea are about to make a phone call to Napoli for Osimhen, he told Sky Sports Italia, per Tuttonapoli.

‘It seems that one door is closed, which is that of Real Madrid, the two most open to catch a striker remain Manchester United and PSG. At that point, a place would also open up at Tottenham.’  

Napoli had previously tried to tie him down by offering an extension to his contract, which is set to expire in 2025. 

That included a massive pay rise on his £3.9million-a-year deal, but it seems they are now resigned to losing their man, even after slapping a whopping £150m price tag on him.

Mail Sport reported yesterday that Erik Ten Hag’s side will listen to offers for as many as 13 stars this summer, with the Red Devils set to undergo a squad revamp in the hope of raising as much as £100m in signings. 

That could help the Dutch manager increase his transfer budget, which has been cut to around £120m due to Financial Fair Play restrictions. 

The Nigerian international was vital in helping Napoli win the Serie A last season, scoring  26 times in 32 league appearances to climb to become the league’s top goalscorer

Chelsea now look like they could be about to part ways with some big stars including Romelu Lukaku

Yesterday, Kalidou Koulibaly was unveiled as the latest player to join Saudi Arabia after the former Chelsea defender was snapped up by Al-Hilal

It’s a very similar strategy to how Chelsea have been operating so far this summer, with the Blues undergoing a brutal squad cull that could see them rake in as much as £130m, with stars like Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante already having left to join Saudi Arabian clubs.

Their outgoings could also include Cesar Azpilicueta, Edouard Mendy, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Matteo Kovacic and Romelu Lukaku, while United have also left a £55m offer for Mason Mount on the table after submitting several offers for the England midfielder. 

By selling players, Chelsea may be able to recoup enough money to purchase Osimhen, with Pochettino clearly in need of a new striker following Chelsea’s poor form in front of net last season, ranking as the joint-third lowest scorer in the Premier League last season. 

Osimhen could certainly help resolve those issues in front of net, with the Nigerian cruising to the top of the Serie A Golden Boot ladder last season, with Lautaro Martinez coming second, five goals behind the Napoli forward.