Chelsea, Arsenal hunt for Nigeria’s most deadly striker in Europe
Victor Osimhen is set to be Chelsea and Arsenal top target, as the English clubs push to strengthen their attacking line with the deadly Nigerian striker.
The Napoli player is valued around £120 million and the chairman of the club Aurelio Di Laurentiis is expected to demand more than the current price tag.
Chelsea may be forced to spend big as the club is currently facing a tough time with some players including Christopher Nkunku nursing injuries while others are still struggling to hit the right form to take the club to the top ranks in the world’s most popular football league competition.
Daily Mail reports that the Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino wants to add a striker to his team, with Osimhen at the top of his list after his three seasons in the Italian Serie A.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is also reported to be keen to bolster his frontline with the proven goalscorer.
Arsenal are pushing to win the league after they lost out to Manchester City last season and the Nigeran is projected as a vital asset to make that a reality this season.
Osimhen has proven himself as one of Europe’s most potent strikers during his time at Napoli and guided the Italian club to their first Serie A title last season.
Napoli chairman hinted in recent weeks that Osimhen’s departure could be on the cards soon.
“I have never been unhappy towards Osimhen, but there are always two of us in these things. I have remained the same, if his mood has changed [over a new deal] I can’t do anything about it.
“If things change after a handshake, it’s disappointing, we take note of it but then life goes on. There are excellent relations with him, the contract expires in 2025, there is time. Don’t forget that I sold Koulibaly [to Chelsea] a year before his contract expired.”
Osimhen, who recently returned to playing action from weeks of injury, is having a souring relationship with the club and the fans due to two controversial videos posted to the club’s TikTok account in September.
