Striker with '£112m release clause' is 'open' to Chelsea move after Didier Drogba 'call'

Victor Osimhen is open to solving Mauricio Pochettino’s striker conundrum at Chelsea, according to reports.

It is no secret that the Blues have struggled to find a reliable number nine in recent seasons. Averaging just one goal per game was cited as the key reason behind Chelsea’s 12th-placed finish last season.

Armando Broja and Nicolas Jackson are the only recognised strikers at Stamford Bridge, with the latter failing to hit the ground running since his big-money switch in the summer. Jackson is widely viewed as one for the future - paving the way for Chelsea to sign a new talisman to lead their line.

A report by TeamTalk has claimed Osimhen is open to a Blues switch and would sign a pre-agreement to move at the end of the season. Ivan Toney has also been named as a potential target but the Napoli man is Chelsea’s number one target.

The Nigerian international has a reported £112million release clause in his contract, a similar fee to what Todd Boehly splashed out for Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Sources in Italy are reporting that Napoli are resigned to the fact that Osimhen has played his final game for the club.

His relationship with Gli Azzurri has been frosty in recent months, with the most public fallout involving a bizarre video when the club's TikTok channel appeared to mock the striker. Chelsea could swoop for their man - despite being likely to miss out on a European spot - and spearhead a fresh assault on the Premier League next season.

The report names Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and John Obi-Mikel as two former players who have reached out to help convince Osimhen. While not hitting the heights of last year, where he helped Napoli win their first Serie A title in three decades, the 25-year-old has netted 13 times this season.