Boehly's Osimhen Chelsea transfer stance revealed

Stuart Telford

• 19 Nov 2023 10:26 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have long been linked with a move for Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, but the purse strings could finally tighten at Stamford Bridge.

Osimhen has emerged as one of the most in-demand strikers in world football after firing Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years with his 26 goals last season.

And Chelsea look to be in need of a top class No.9, with Nicolas Jackson, the incumbent in the position, still looking raw despite his seven goals in 14 games since his €37 million arrival from Villarreal in the summer.

READ: Chelsea urged NOT to sign Osimhen by club legend

Osimhen has previously admitted his admiration for Chelsea and former Blues hero Didier Drogba, and after a fallout with Napoli following an in-house social media faux pas, a transfer has begun to look increasingly likely.

Osimhen move 'unlikely'

But according to football.london's Chelsea writer Bobby Vincent, the days of Todd Boehly's limitless chequebook could soon be over.

"It is no secret that the Blues are looking to sign a new striker over the January transfer window but a deal for Osimhen, which would likely exceed the £105 million Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez earlier in the year, is viewed as unlikely at this moment in time," he writes.

"Ivan Toney of Brentford is also an option and is expected to be cheaper than Osimhen."

READ: Ivan Toney ‘torn’ amid Chelsea and Arsenal links

Osimhen is valued at €79m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, while Toney is rated at just €27.9m - a nearly €50m difference. Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has previously suggested it would take €150m for him to part with Osimhen.

Chelsea remain hopeful that Christopher Nkunku will repeat his attacking numbers at RB Leipzig once he returns from injury, meanwhile. The Frenchman top scored in the Bundesliga last season with 16 goals and six assists, but underwent knee surgery in August soon after completing his €60m move to West London.