Huge boost for Chelsea as key target ‘wants to join’ before transfer deadline

Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Victor Osimhen with the striker keen to move to Stamford Bridge this summer, according to ex-Blues star John Obi Mikel.

Osimhen has been strongly linked with the Premier League club this summer and Obi Mikel is doing all he can to ensure the deal goes through.

Chelsea are keen to add a new striker to Enzo Maresca’s squad following Nicolas Jackson’s somewhat underwhelming first season in west London.

Osimhen is seen as an ideal target for the Blues having scored 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli and a further 21 in 35 games for Nigeria.

Chelsea had been struggling to agree terms with the Serie A club but Napoli have become increasingly open to offloading Osimhen, especially if they can land Stamford Bridge flop Romelu Lukaku or any other Blues players as part of the deal.

Another potential stumbling block for Chelsea is PSG, who are also admirers of Osimhen, but Obi Mikel believes his compatriot ‘wants to join’ his former club after recently texting the player.

‘There’s interest from both sides,’ Obi Mikel said on beIN SPORT. ‘He wants to come to the club.

‘The club, I think, want a proven goalscorer and that’s no disrespect to Nicolas Jackson. Last season he did well but I think we need more. 

‘We’ve had a few text messages here and there. I’ve told him how good the club is and what a fantastic place it is to improve. 

‘He’s interested which is encouraging. He wants to come to the club. Chelsea is a massive club and he would like to follow in the footsteps of other Nigerians to play for Chelsea. 

‘I think it’s 60/40 in favour that Osimhen comes, I think so, he wants to come. I think there should be a straight swap because Napoli want [Romelu] Lukaku.’

Osimhen’s most prolific season for Napoli came in 2022-23 when he scored 31 goals in 39 games in all competitions, helping his club win Serie A for the first time since 1990.

Chelsea begin their 2024-25 Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon against defending champions Manchester City.

New Blues boss Maresca will be without club captain Reece James, who is suspended, but could hand Chelsea debuts to summer signings Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is still sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury during the Euro 2024 final.

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