Chelsea plotting €100 million move for striker after failing to sign Victor Osimhen - Reports
Chelsea are considering spending €100 million to secure Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez's services, according to reports. The Blues are keen on bringing Martinez to the club after failing to sign Victor Osimhen.
The west Londoners were heavily linked with Osimhen for quite some time. The Nigerian forward attracted a lot of interest after his exploits for Napoli in the Serie A, playing a crucial role in their triumph in 2023.
He scored 26 goals and provided five assists in 32 league games during the 2022-23 season. Despite interest from Chelsea and Arsenal, a move to the Premier League never materialized and Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan this summer.
The Blues have now shifted their sights towards another attacker in the Italian top flight. Lautaro Martinez was in stellar form for Inter Milan last season, helping them win the Scudetto and the Supercoppa Italiana. He scored 27 goals and provided seven assists in 44 games across all competitions last term.
Martinez continued his excellent form for Argentina at the 2024 Copa America as well. The 27-year-old won the Golden Boot award after scoring five goals, including the match-winner in the 1-0 final win over Colombia. While he was the subject of interest this summer, Lautaro Martinez committed his future to Inter Milan by signing a contract extension until 2029.
However, Chelsea remain interested in signing Martinez and are willing to go up to €100 million to secure his services, according to Fichajes.net. The report claims that the Blues could even offer Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Mykhailo Mudryk in exchange for Martinez.
"I am very grateful" - Jadon Sancho opens up on 'amazing' Chelsea debut
Jadon Sancho has opened up about his first appearance for Chelsea against Bournemouth. The English forward is elated to have secured a victory on his debut.
The Blues locked horns with the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday night (14 September). Sancho did not start the fixture but was subbed on for Pedro Neto at the break.
The 24-year-old had a great impact on the left wing and set up Christopher Nkunku's match-winner in the 86th minute. After the game, Sancho told reporters (via BBC Sport):
“It is amazing to make my debut for Chelsea and just be back playing. I am very grateful. I thought the team played very well, we dug in until the end and we are happy with the three points. I have been working hard for this moment and I am happy that I got my chance."
Speaking about his loan stint at Borussia Dortmund last season that saw him earn a spot in the UEFA Champions League final, Sancho added:
“I had a great end to last season, being in the Champions League final, and I told myself going into this season that I wanted to have a great start to the season, and this is my first game so to get a win for Chelsea and obviously to make my debut too.”
The Blues signed Sancho on a season-long loan this summer from Manchester United.