Chelsea’s trail to Victor Osimhen is reportedly becoming clearer as Paris Saint-Germajor cools its interest in the Napoli striker. PSG have been the Blues’ main rival in the Osimhen saga, but an initial value of more than £100m has reportedly proven to be a bridge too far.
The Nigerian is expected to leave Napoli before this month’s deadline, and the Italian club are lately in talks with Chelsea to sign Romelu Lukaku as his replacement.
Chelsea and the Azzurri have reportedly discussed Lukaku and Osimhen as two separate deals, and the London club’s project would have possibly been significantly helped by an unforeseen turnaround.
According to L’Equipe, PSG, who have been hot on Osimhen’s heels all summer, deserve not to chase him in the latter stages of the window. The injury to his compatriot Gonçalo Ramos has sparked new optimism surrounding a move for Osimhen, but coach Luis Enrique appears to be in a position to find an alternative solution.
Chelsea’s withdrawal from the big competition will increase Enzo Maresca’s chances of getting hold of the 25-year-old, who has scored 76 goals in 133 games for Napoli in the last 4 seasons.
Maresca’s Blues drew in their Premier League opener when Manchester City won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Nicolas Jackson passed the starting role before teenager Marc Guiu had a chance to impress in the second half, but neither player managed to hurt City when goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic sealed the 3 points.
While Chelsea have a beloved team, Osimhen would still provide a significant injection of quality to Maresca’s forward line. The leaders scored 31 goals in 2022/23 and have delighted in Germany and France, having played for Wolfsburg and Lille before their replacement in Serie A in 2020.
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The Chelsea squad is full of attackers and Lukaku is expected to be followed away from Stamford Bridge by Armando Broja before the deadline, with Ipswich Town as the 22-year-old’s suitor.
There is also enormous uncertainty about Raheem Sterling’s future. The four-time Premier League winner was knocked out of the Maresca side on Sunday and would possibly be forced to look elsewhere for playing time in light of Chelsea’s recent signings.
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