REVEALED: Chelsea's secret weapon in Osimhen fight with Man Utd

Robin Bairner

• 31 Mar 2023 11:33 BST
• 3 min read

Didier Drogba could play a decisive role in Chelsea beating Manchester United to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer.

Both Premier League giants are in the market for a marquee No.9 in the coming months.

Man Utd are bereft of a world-class option in attack since Cristiano Ronaldo departed by mutual consent in November, and though Wout Weghorst has filled the gap gamely on loan from Burnley clearly does not provide a long-term solution.

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Chelsea, meanwhile, have persisted with Kai Havertz in the role but the Germany international is not showing the kind of form expected of him when he arrived in a €80 million deal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. Indeed, the Blues have struggled for goal from all over the park, netting just 29 times despite a massive investment in the playing squad.

Osimhen is a common point of interest for both clubs, although Manchester United, in particular, have been linked with a series of different options for the role, including Harry Kane of Tottenham and Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Chelsea, though, hold a small edge in the race for the Nigeria international forward, 24.

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Drogba gives Chelsea Osimhen edge

The Evening Standard reports that Osimhen grew up supporting Chelsea and was even pictured in the club shirt as a youngster. Furthermore, his idol was Drogba, who remains a Stamford Bridge legend after nine seasons over two spells with the club in which he scored 164 goals in 381 appearances.

Osimhen, though, is not certain to leave Serie A leaders Napoli this summer.

Under contract until June 2025, the Italian club is in a strong negotiating position over their star striker, not least because they have elevated their level to become one of the best teams in Europe and are challenging to win the Champions League.

It is thought that they will demand in excess of €100m for the striker, with the possibility of the fee rising as high as €150m not discounted.