Chelsea ready to meet striker’s £111 million asking price

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that his side’s draw against Manchester City on Saturday can kickstart a late charge for European qualification. 

The Blues arrived at The Etihad as huge underdogs against the reigning Premier League champions, but Raheem Sterling put the visitors ahead against his old club.

Midfielder Rodri’s deflected strike drew the Citizens level late on, but Pochettino will be thrilled that his side held on to secure an important point.

The Argentine will now be looking up the table and will be hopeful that his side can make a late charge and secure a place in European competition next term.

Regardless of where they finish this season, it appears that the Blues are ready to spend big once again this summer.

According to Rudy Galetti via The Sun, the West London outfit are prepared to meet Victor Osimhen’s £111 million release clause.

The report claims that those in charge of Chelsea’s recruitment are hoping to ‘speed things up’ in relation to their pursuit of the striker, in an effort to beat french side Paris Saint-Germain to the player’s signature.

Osimhen looks likely to leave Napoli this summer

PSG will be in the market for a new forward this summer with talisman Kylian Mbappe set to depart the French capital at the end of the current season.

Since taking charge of the club in 2022, Chelsea’s Clearlake owners have spent more than £1 billion on new signings, although they didn’t bring in any new players during the recent January transfer window.

Despite their huge spending, Pochettino’s side have still struggled in front of goal at times this term, and Chelsea are therefore keen to sign Osimhen.

The Nigeria international Napoli from French side Napoli in 2020 and has since made 119 appearances for the Italian club, scoring 67 goals and providing 19 assists.

It is claimed that Chelsea will soon meet with representatives from Naples in an effort to agree on the financial structure of a potential deal.

Osimhen, 25, recently signed a new contract that is set to keep him at the Serie A side until 2026, but Chelsea are said to be ‘relaxed’ about their pursuit of the Nigerian.