Paris Saint-Germain have stepped up their search for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, and that may spell good news for Chelsea.
Kylian Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid, added to Ligue 1’s need for a new card, has allowed PSG to reactivate their interest in the Nigerian.
With a new broadcast deal secured, the champions of France can continue to rebuild their squad as they prepare for the post-Mbappe era.
Despite spending £150m on strikers Gonçalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani last summer, PSG are expected to return to the market on Mbappe’s 44 goals in 48 games last season.
Osimhen, who returned Napoli to Serie A in 2023, was finally given the green light to leave the club this summer after 12 months of flirting with PSG, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Chelsea were among the clubs credited with interest in the 25-year-old, but a move to the French capital would now give Chelsea an advantage as they polish their squad ahead of next season.
This is because Napoli manager Antonio Conte is considering signing Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku and he is starting his first season at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The Belgian is said to provide a ready-made replacement for Osimhen in what could simply be a discounted deal for the striker who still has two years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
With Lukaku not likely to return to Chelsea, the replacement makes sense for all parties, leaving Chelsea free to explore other options to resolve their striker crisis.
Chief Enzo Maresca has Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja to call up the batting branch with the addition of European soccer next season.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has in the past valued Osimhen at £150m, which deterred Chelsea and other suitors, but the Italian is unlikely to succeed in that amount if the striker leaves this summer.
Instead, Osimhen may simply be the subject of a simpler player deal to cross the finish line, with PSG keen to get rid of one or two of their fringe stars.
If they fail to qualify for Europe next season, Napoli will have to take steps to restructure their squad in hopes of quickly returning to the Champions League.
This service is provided under talkSPORT Ltd’s Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy.