Chelsea could take advantage of club's financial situation to sign elite striker who 'wants' Blues transfer

A superstar striker who could be available this summer reportedly likes the idea of joining Chelsea. The Blues will be on the lookout for a new frontman this summer having struggled for goals in the second half of this season.

Nicolas Jackson will, no doubt, remain a big part of Chelsea’s future, but Enzo Maresca is likely to want serious competition at the top end of the pitch with Christopher Nkunku failing to impress, and he will likely move on this summer.

A number of players have been linked over recent months, and one Chelsea actually pushed to sign in the dying hours of the last summer transfer window was Victor Osimhen. The Napoli striker ended up joining Galatasaray on loan for the season having fallen out with Napoli.

Osimhen was said to have a break clause in his deal in January, but he pledged his commitment to the Turkish club for the rest of the season and stood by his word. During his loan spell, the 26-year-old has continued his elite scoring record, netting 31 times in 36 games across all competitions.

But it seems he won’t be staying put. Turkish pundit Oğuzhan Özyakup has said: “In my opinion, Victor Osimhen has no chance of staying at Galatasaray. Let's say you bought him for 60 (Million), but that money will be equivalent to 70 (Million) with bonuses. If he gets 10 million Euros in salary every year, this cost will increase to 120-130 (million). You can't find that money. You have to be successful in the Champions League to find it. It is very difficult for Turkish teams to be successful because they don't play there all the time. I don't believe he will stay. How will Galatasaray sell him?”

Interestingly, on the back of that, Osimhen’s fellow Nigerian and former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has claimed that Osimhen actually wants to sign for Chelsea. He said: “He wants to play for Chelsea. I know where we stopped in terms of the contract, I know where we are. It’s an easy fix, because we’ve done all the hard work last summer.”

Osimhen is well aware of the transfer interest that surrounds him, but he remains focused on the task at hand. He recently said: “There are always rumours about me, but I live in the moment. Now I’m enjoying all this. The fans have supported me in an incredible way. Not only me, but also my teammates and my family. The best decision for everyone will be made. But Galatasaray will always remain in my heart.”

The striker is going to have to find a new club this summer, with Napoli almost certain to push for a sale, given the relationship between him and the Italian club, while Galatasaray can’t afford to keep him, according to the Özyakup. A number of clubs are likely to be interested, but given the expense of a deal, few will be able to afford the Nigeria international.

Chelsea will be able to, especially if they sell Nkunku this summer, but it remains to be seen if they will finally commit to the striker’s huge wages having shied away from paying them last summer, even at a desperate stage of the window. Much may depend on whether they are indeed successful in qualifying for the Champions League.

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