Five Osimhen alternatives for Chelsea as PSG aim to complete transfer hijack

Robin Bairner

12 Apr 2024 07:55 BST
4 min read

Chelsea have made Victor Osimhen their top target in the summer transfer window, yet the Blues face a new threat over the Napoli striker.

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PSG are ready to offer Osimhen a €12m per year contract and are willing to trigger the player’s release clause in his Napoli contract, estimated around the €120 million mark.

Chelsea face a major challenge to raise this type of money to allow them to sign the Nigeria international, with the financial strength of the Ligue 1 side casting doubt over the ability to land the player top of their shortlist.

With PSG facing up to life after Kylian Mbappe, who is poised to move to Real Madrid, they have no such problems as a massive part of their wage budget is set to be freed up.

But if the Ligue 1 club are successful in signing Osimhen, where can Chelsea turn?

The following criteria are designed to mimic Osimhen most closely:

Minimal similarity to Osimhen of at least 80%

Age: 25 or under

Position: Centre forward

SciSkill: Over 100

Finishing: Top third of league

Dribbling: Top third of league

Defensive positioning: Top third of league

Filtering out unattainable players like Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Mbappe leaves five potential signings.

Chelsea's five Osimhen alternatives

Lois Openda

Club: RB Leipzig

Estimated Transfer Value (ETV): €63.7m

SciSkill: 101.6

Openda is enjoying an outstanding debut season in the Bundesliga, scoring 21 goals in 28 matches and outperforming the more hyped Benjamin Sesko.

Under contract until June 2028 after joining the club from Lens for close to €40m last summer, it would take a mega bid for Chelsea to land the Belgium international.

Transfer rumours have been bubbling away over Opena, with the strategy of the Red Bull group to make money by turning over players in exactly this way. With Sesko waiting in the wings, a summer deal is possible.

STATS

Loïs Openda

F (CL), AM (C)

RB Leipzig

Loïs Openda

F (CL), AM (C)

RB Leipzig

36

Games
23

Goals
4

Assists

Jonathan David

Club: Lille

Estimated Transfer Value (ETV): €44.7m

SciSkill: 101.9

David is set to leave Lille in the summer, with the Canada international have set a goal to play in the Premier League this season.

Even without being at his absolute best this season, the 24-year-old has still managed to score 23 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions.

Arsenal have previously been credited with an interest in the former Gent centre-forward, though that has now faded.

STATS

Jonathan David

F (CRL)

LOSC Lille

Jonathan David

F (CRL)

LOSC Lille

38

Games
19

Goals
3

Assists

Dusan Vlahovic

Club: Juventus

Estimated Transfer Value (ETV): €44.4m

SciSkill: 103.3

Arguably the likeliest Chelsea target on this list, Vlahovic is a player that the Blues have looked at extensively before, having tracked him during his Fiorentina days. Their interest faded as Juventus successfully fought Arsenal to sign him but could be rekindled this summer.

Vlahovic has carried Juventus offensively at points this season, scoring 15 goals in 26 Serie A matches and providing cutting edge to Max Allegri’s sometimes toothless team.

Out of contract in 2026, the Turin giants are under no obligation to sell but transfer rumours are building nevertheless.

STATS

Dušan Vlahović

F (CRL)

Juventus FC

Dušan Vlahović

F (CRL)

Juventus FC

26

Games
13

Goals
3

Assists

Victor Boniface

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Estimated Transfer Value (ETV): €28.1m

SciSkill: 106.4

Boniface is the youngest player on this list at 23 years old, while he is also having the best season, firing Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen towards the Bundesliga title.

He suffered an adductor injury just before Christmas that has kept him out for much of the second half of the season, yet he has still returned an impressive 17 goals, the latest of which came against West Ham in the Conference League.

Bayer will be unable to keep hold of all of their players in the summer and the Nigerian may be one who is allowed to go. Leverkusen have proven they can win without him.

STATS

Victor Boniface

F (CRL)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Victor Boniface

F (CRL)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

24

Games
14

Goals
8

Assists

Darwin Nunez

Club: Liverpool

Estimated Transfer Value (ETV): €50.8m

SciSkill: 106.5

With the Jurgen Klopp era at Liverpool drawing to an end, can the Reds afford the chaotic Nunez at the forefront of their attack? It’s doubtful, but that’s unlikely to stop them trying, thereby making this move a distant possibility.

Nunez’s unique style of player is well known, but it has provided goals. He has netted 11 times in the Premier League this season and 18 overall.

Would that be enough for Chelsea to pay the type of money required to release the player from his bond at Anfield? No chance.

Nunez may fit the mould of Osimhen, but any prospect of a transfer happening here can quickly be discounted.