Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino may be ready to break the bank once again in the January transfer window.
Chelsea’s huge spending spree under Todd Boehly could be set to continue as they outline plans for the January transfer window, with Mauricio Pochettino eyeing up an addition to his forward line. Since the Blues’ owners took over last year over £1billion has been spent on new players, but more reinforcements appear to be required.
Chelsea are languishing in mid-table having scored 22 goals in their first 13 Premier League games, with questions posed over whether Nicolas Jackson can be the club’s long-term starting striker. The Senegalese forward has six league goals so far this season, though three of those did come against nine-men Tottenham.
That has led to Chelsea reportedly targeting Napoli talisman Victor Osimhen after he spearheaded them to the Serie A title last season. According to 90min, he is on the Blues’ shortlist and Napoli have started to look at a succession plan for life after their striker.
However, Napoli have proven to be tough negotiators in the past and would demand a fee in excess of the £115million that Chelsea paid to land Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a club and British record transfer fee.
It would be the third time in a year that Chelsea will have broken their club record to sign a player if they stump up the cash to pay Napoli’s asking price for Osimhen. Caicedo became the record signing just a few months after Enzo Fernandez was signed on deadline day from Benfica for £106.8m.
Napoli have already begun looking at potential replacements, in a possible hint that Chelsea have positively indicated that they are willing to break their record fee once again for Osimhen. The Italian club have looked at two of the 24-year-old’s Nigerian compatriots in Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface and Montpellier’s Akor Adams.
While Lille forward Jonathan David and RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda are also being monitored, though the club could just be doing their due diligence should a club such as Chelsea swoop for Osimhen.
If he is available in January there will be no shortage of potential suitors, rival clubs for Chelsea to compete with. Saudi Arabian teams will be able to match the Blues’ financial package, but he has already spoken publicly about turning down a mega-money offer from the Middle East.
“I have to be honest, I never thought about leaving last summer because Napoli wanted to keep me,” he told The Obi One podcast. “But when the offer came from Saudi Arabia, a huge offer, it was hard to refuse. I spoke to Napoli and decided to stay. It was crazy… The more I said no, the more they increased the financial offer. It would have changed my life, they never gave up. But I said, no guys, I’m staying.”
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