Chelsea fall behind Arsenal and PSG in race to sign 25-year-old Serie A superstar: Reports
Chelsea have reportedly lost ground in the race with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
TEAMTalk reports that although the Blues have been frontrunners in the queue for Osimhen, they're now concerned they're losing the race. The west Londoners are hesitant about overpaying for players and how they've been operating puts them at risk of missing out on high-profile names.
Osimhen is one of Europe's most in-demand forwards having put up prolific numbers for several years at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The Nigerian has registered 13 goals and four assists in 24 games across competitions this season.
The pacey and clinical frontman's form has seen PSG and Arsenal join Chelsea in their pursuit of him. The Ligue 1 giants are growing in confidence that they can secure his signature due to his high wage demands (at least £250,000 per week).
The Parisians need to replace Kylian Mbappe who's seemingly headed to La Liga giants Real Madrid. Osimhen is their top target to take the goalscoring burden from the France captain.
However, Arsenal are also in contention as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his attack. The Gunners want to sign a world-class striker and are prepared to meet the Nigeria international's wage demands.
The north Londoners could be set to offload Eddie Nketiah to make a blockbuster striker signing. Osimhen fits the bill having won Serie A's Golden Boot last season with 26 goals in 32 games as Napoli won the Scudetto.
Osimhen won't come cheaply as Chelsea, Arsenal, and PSG will also have to meet his release clause. The former LOSC Lille forward signed a new deal in December which included a reported £112 million release clause.
Ex-Chelsea star William Gallas urged Arsenal to snub Victor Osimhen and sign Dominic Solanke
Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender William Gallas gave his take on both clubs' pursuit of Osimhen. The Frenchman suggested the Nigerian's personality might not suit Gunners boss Arteta (via One Football):
"I'm not sure about Osimhen. He has a strong character but I'm not sure if he'll have a good relationship with Arteta."
Gallas namedropped Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke as an option for Arteta's title challengers. The English striker has been in fine form, posting 17 goals and four assists in 32 games across competitions:
"If I was Arteta, I would sign Solanke, who is also a cheaper option than Osimhen."
The Gunners may have to pay £60 million for Solanke who came through Chelsea's youth ranks, per The Sun. He joined Bournemouth from Liverpool in 2019 and has become one of the Cherries' protagonists.