'Ready' - Chelsea to break bank for £112m man ahead of Arsenal after blockbuster 43-word statement

Chelsea are 'ready' to break the bank to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer and a preparing a bid of around £112 million to unlock the talisman's release clause.

The striker, who is currently representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, has been hotly tipped to complete a move to the Premier League with Manchester United and Arsenal both also linked with a big-money move for the star. Osimhen bagged 31 goals in 39 appearances for Napoli across all competitions last season as the club stormed to the Serie A trophy.

It's no surprise that a goalscorer of such calibre had turned the heads of the biggest Premier League clubs and the player has been the centre of a transfer storm this month, even while busy on AFCON duty. In his latest interview, Osimhen teased that he had 'already made' a decision on his future, which La Gazzetta dello Sport reports to be good news for Chelsea.

The outlet claims that Mauricio Pochettino's side are 'ready' to pay the release clause believed to exist in the striker's Napoli contract this summer, even if it is well above £100 million. The Blues are known to be in the market for a goalscorer with links to Brentford's Ivan Toney and former Real Madrid man Karim Benzema this month.

Chelsea have been big spenders under Todd Boehly but will need to step carefully with Financial Fair Play rules before splurging on Osimhen with departures needed to fund such a big move. Midfielder Conor Gallagher has been linked with a move to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and defender Trevoh Chalobah is another expected outgoing with Fulham reportedly interested.

In an interview with CBS on Tuesday, Osimhen said: “I have already made my decision on the next step to do at the end of the season. I already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I want to do, the next step I want to take.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the star's statement left Napoli 'surprised' with no agreement currently in place and the player contracted until 2026. Any Chelsea move is expected to happen this summer rather than in the current January transfer window.