Chelsea’s interest in signing Victor Osimhen could be a positive development for Arsenal, particularly in their pursuit of Ivan Toney.

Chelsea are reportedly preparing to make Osimhen their top target for a striker, potentially needing to surpass their own Premier League record fee, which was £106.8 million for Enzo Fernandez.

Chelsea could break English transfer record for Osimhen The Daily Telegraph27 Nov 2023By Mike Mcgrath Clinical: Victor Osimhen has six goals in nine Serie A appearances this season Chelsea are to make Victor Osimhen their primary target when they enter the market for a striker and may need to better their own Premier League record fee to sign him. Manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to add a centre-forward as he builds his squad. Osimhen tops Chelsea’s list after his three seasons in Serie A, where he has helped Napoli win the Scudetto, and sources say he could be open to the move. The Nigeria international, 24, is expected to cost more than £100million and could break the Premier League record of £106.8 million paid by Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez. The size of the fee could make a January deal difficult, but it is a position Pochettino wants to fill long-term. Chelsea have a link with Osimhen through Kalidou Koulibaly. The defender, who left in the summer for Al-hilal in Saudi Arabia, still has friends at Chelsea and is close to Osimhen from their time together at Napoli. Osimhen’s relationship with Napoli has been tested this season, and his representatives have threatened legal action over a video posted on a club Tiktok account that mocked him. According to Italian sources, Chelsea would be a club the player would consider. Chelsea signed Nicolas Jackson, 22, from Villarreal in the summer and the Senegal striker has scored seven goals. Pochettino has Christopher Nkunku returning from injury and he can play centrally. Armando Broja, 22, adds to his striker options but there is still an appetite to have another No9. Osimhen has six goals in 11 games this campaign after helping to end Napoli’s wait for the title last season. His deal taking him to Napoli three years ago was widely reported to be worth €70million to Lille but involved youth players moving in the opposite direction. With one full season left on his contract, he would still earn Napoli a huge profit on their investment on the player, who was also at Wolfsburg in Germany and Belgian club Charleroi before moving to France. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis spoke last month about the relationship between the player and club, insisting that it is “entirely out of place” that there is tension between them. They have changed managers this season, with Walter Mazzarri, the former Watford head coach, taking charge after the departure of Rudi Garcia.
Sport, Daily Telegraph, 27 November 2023

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, is keen to strengthen his squad with a new centre-forward.

Osimhen, who has had a successful tenure at Napoli, including helping them win the Scudetto, is high on Chelsea’s agenda.

The Nigerian international’s expected transfer fee is over £100 million, which could set a new Premier League record.

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Despite the potential complexities of a deal in January, Pochettino reportedly views the striker position as a long-term necessity for Chelsea.

Chelsea’s link to Osimhen is partly through Kalidou Koulibaly, a former teammate at Napoli, who still maintains connections at Chelsea. Osimhen’s relationship with Napoli has been strained this season, with his representatives even threatening legal action over a club TikTok video.

He is reportedly open to considering a move to Chelsea.

Chelsea already signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal in the summer, and with Christopher Nkunku set to return from injury and Armando Broja adding depth, Chelsea’s focus on Osimhen could shift their attention away from other potential targets.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford reacts during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Ivan Toney of Brentford reacts during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

This situation might work in Arsenal‘s favour, as they have also been linked with a move for Brentford‘s Ivan Toney.

Toney’s interest in joining Arsenal, combined with Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen, could potentially clear the path for Arsenal to secure Toney.

This scenario would be ideal for Arsenal, allowing them to acquire a desired target without facing competition from Chelsea.

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