Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is expected to leave the Serie A club at the end of the 2023-24 season, and Gary Lineker has tipped Chelsea to pip Arsenal and co to his services.
The Nigerian international has a release clause of £120 million in his current contract, and he recently hinted at joining a Premier League club in the summer.
Osimhen will not be short of suitors when the next transfer window opens, and while Lineker believes he would be perfect for the Gunners, he agrees with Micah Richards that the 25-year-old will most likely join the Blues.
“Something in my mind says Chelsea,” Richards replied when asked on the latest edition of the Rest is Football podcast where he thinks the Napoli hitman is going.
“I don’t know why, but I think Chelsea. You know because they are the most desperate for a striker. I think Arsenal would love to have him, but they still see Gabriel Jesus as a number 9, and they have got Eddie Nketiah. I don’t know why but I think Chelsea will get him.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me, it wouldn’t surprise me at all,” Lineker agreed.
While Chelsea have Financial Fair Play rules to comply with, they have managed to keep themselves in check by handing out long-term deals to their new signings.
The Blues will be looking to sell some of their top players this month and in the summer to balance the books, which should make room for them to sign Osimhen.
The Nigerian has bagged eight goals in 18 games this term after ending last season with 31 goals in 39 games, and Chelsea could do with such a great finisher leading their line.
The Stamford Bridge club have not had a striker in the mould of Didier Drogba since the Ivorian hitman left, and Osimhen reminds their fans of the striking legend.
He plays in a similar style to Drogba, has the physicality to excel in the Premier League and is an elite finisher with explosive pace.
Having him join Chelsea will be huge for the club, but he could prefer a move to where Champions League football is available next season and the Blues are unlikely to finish in the top-four this term given their uninspiring start to the campaign.
