Chelsea will be forced to spend big again in the summer transfer window should they want to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. The Blues have been named as a potential suitor for the Nigerian after his impressive 2022/23 campaign.
Osimhen has scored 17 goals in 21 appearances this season, including 16 in 17 Serie A fixtures. His starring displays for Luciano Spalletti's side this season have been pivotal in Gli Azzurri's efforts to win their first league title since 1990.
Stamford Bridge has been named a possible destination for the forward amid Graham Potter's search for a new number nine. It's been widely reported that a striker and goalkeeper will be the priority for the summer, despite Todd Boehly spending £500million in the previous two transfer windows.
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However, Chelsea will be forced to rival Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain for the target man, with previous reports insisting a fee in the region of £100million will have to be paid for his services. As shown in the January window, Boehly is not fearful of spending big on quality with a club-record fee of £105m spent on Enzo Fernandez.
Osimhen's double on Sunday against Spezia made it 13 goals in 12 league games and has intensified speculation surrounding a possible summer move. But Napoli remain coy on the striker's future and president Aurelio de Laurentiis has revealed the club's stance on a move.
Speaking to German newspaper Bild, De Laurentiis has admitted Napoli have no reason to sell Osimhen. "I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale," he said.
"Our players are in demand, but I don't have to sell anyone. We don't have any debts."
Napoli have previous in playing the long game with their strikers. Their record sale courtesy of Juventus paying €90m for Gonzalo Higuain after PSG coughed up €64.5m for Edinson Cavani. Higuain, who endured a difficult loan at Chelsea, scored 91 goals in 146 appearances for the Italian side and Cavani notched in a terrific 104 in 138.
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