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Soccer News of Saturday, 9 December 2023

Source: www.punchng.com

Chelsea ready to break EPL transfer record for Osimhen

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is prepared to pay whatever it takes to sign Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, and break the British transfer record, as he’s not worried about FFP, PUNCH Sports Extra reports..

As a result of a phenomenal season in front of goal last term, Osimhen has the eyes of a lot of the world’s biggest sides on him. The 24-year-old inspired Napoli to the Serie A title last season, scoring 26 goals over the course of the 2022/23 campaign.

In the summer, the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich all looked to the striker to improve their attacks but Osimhen’s huge price tag presented an issue for each of those sides. Indeed, it’s been reported a £130m fee stands between any interested club and the star striker.

The Blues seem the most likely to be able to pay that sum given their free-spending nature. However, given they had already spent £400m on fresh faces in the summer, the chances of them also being able to get Osimhen were slim.

They’ve maintained their interest amid his continued good form that has seen him score six goals in 10 Serie A games so far, and it seems they’re going to push hard to get the transfer over the line.

A report from Football Transfers states that Chelsea owner Boehly is “prepared to pay whatever it takes” to land Osimhen. It’s not clear if he’ll make that move in January, but the report suggests the Blues are “in the market” for a new attacker then.

Indeed, the report suggests the Blues are “hell-bent” on the signing and are even prepared to break their transfer record’ to sign him.

Their record and the British record are the same, the £106.8m they paid for Enzo Fernandez in January and if reports on Osimhen’s price tag are accurate, Chelsea have to break that record in order to get him.

While their attitude towards FFP is lax, the Stamford Bridge outfit will surely have to sell some assets before they can snap up Osimhen.