Major update issued on Chelsea's transfer pursuit of Victor Osimhen

Chelsea's transfer pursuit of Napoli centre-forward Victor Osimhen is well-documented by this point - however, various sources claim that it seems unlikely they will be able to secure a move for the player over the course of the upcoming January transfer window.

Napoli value Osimhen at a price of £100 million - they will not accept any bids below this asking price. Additionally, they are willing to fight to keep the 24-year-old at the club - they do not want to let him go before the end of the season. So far this season, the Nigerian has scored six goals in eight Serie A games.

Do Chelsea need a striker?

In the 2023 summer transfer window, Chelsea's objectives were clear - move on the vast swathes of deadwood and sign a world-class striker. While they were successful in the former, their squad is still bereft of a top-quality centre-forward.

To plug the gaps, the Blues brought on board Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku. Jackson has been very hit-and-miss thus far - while he has displayed great pace and has scored six times this season, his profligacy in front of goal has been widely noted.

He has the third-highest xG of any player in the Premier League this season with 7.8, yet he is currently only averaging 0.64 goals per 90 minutes. At the age of 22, he still has plenty of developing to do - he is far from the finished product at this stage in his career.

Meanwhile, Nkunku may have fared better than the Senegalese native, had he not been injured since the start of the season. He is expected to return to action this month - until then, the jury is out on the former RB Leipzig striker.

Armando Broja also provides a solid rotation option, but is far from world-class level. So far this season, the Albanian international has scored a single goal in the Premier League over the course of four appearances.