Chelsea have not yet ruled out a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who reportedly remains under consideration as the Blues brace for a transfer battle with Manchester United.
Both Premier League sides are chasing attacking reinforcements this summer and, after being linked with big-money names like Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, have turned their attention to Ipswich Town’s £30m-rated Liam Delap.
Chelsea have been trying to wrap up a deal for Delap as soon as possible but are now wary of significant competition from United, who are looking at the England Under-21 international as their top attacking target.
Those nerves have forced Chelsea to keep an open mind when it comes to a new striker and BBC Sport state the Blues are giving very little away behind the scenes, such is the uncertainty surrounding a potential incoming.
Sesko and Gyokeres are named as options but, interestingly, it is claimed Chelsea have not yet walked away from Osimhen, who came close to moving to Stamford Bridge last summer before talks collapsed late in the window.
Central to the collapse in talks last year was Osimhen’s wage demands, which have not changed this time around. The 26-year-old is thought to be asking for over £300,000 per week – enough to convince United to walk away and focus their efforts on Delap instead.
Chelsea, despite priding themselves on an incentivised wage strategy which seldom offers such significant wages, have seemingly not been deterred by Osimhen’s demands and continue to see the Galatasaray loanee as a possible signing.
It is noted that Chelsea found Osimhen’s wage demands “prohibitive” during negotiations last summer, which former Blue John Obi Mikel insisted could be reignited and finalised quickly if Chelsea decide to pursue the striker again.
Osimhen has scored 33 goals in 38 games since joining Galatasaray on a season-long loan. The Turkish side are known to be keen to sign him permanently but predict they will fall short when it comes to competing with the riches on offer in the Premier League.
