Chelsea have not ruled out pursuing a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, despite facing competition from Manchester United. The Blues are reportedly still considering the Nigerian forward as they prepare for a transfer battle with their Premier League rivals.
Both clubs are looking to bolster their attacking options this summer. After being linked with high-profile targets like Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, and Benjamin Sesko, Chelsea and United have now shifted focus to Ipswich Town’s £30m-rated Liam Delap.
Chelsea has been trying to finalize a deal for Delap quickly but are aware of the growing competition from United, who view the England Under-21 international as their top forward target. This competition has prompted Chelsea to remain open-minded about their striker options. According to BBC Sport, the club has kept its cards close to the chest, given the uncertainty surrounding potential signings.
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While Gyokeres and Sesko remain on Chelsea’s radar, the club has not ruled out a move for Osimhen, who was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge last summer before negotiations broke down late in the transfer window.
A key factor in the collapse of last year’s talks was Osimhen’s wage demands, which have not changed. The 26-year-old is reportedly seeking over £300,000 per week, a sum that led United to focus their efforts on Delap instead.
Chelsea, known for their incentive-based wage structure, have not been deterred by Osimhen’s high salary expectations and are still considering him as a potential signing. Although they found his wage demands “prohibitive” last summer, former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel believes that if the club decides to re-enter the race for Osimhen, a deal could be quickly finalized.
Osimhen has enjoyed an impressive season, scoring 33 goals in 38 games since joining Galatasaray on a season-long loan. While the Turkish side are keen to sign him permanently, they are reportedly unable to compete with the financial power of the Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and United.
