KEY POINTS

  • Chelsea want to sign a striker next summer
  • They have decided to offload Lukaku permanently
  • Victor Osimhen has a contract with Napoli until 2025

Chelsea have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to Premier League ahead of the 2022-23 season when Chelsea signed him late in the summer transfer window. However, the Blues aren't seeing the 33-year-old, who has netted three goals in six games this term, as their long-term striker.

Chelsea are preparing to sign a new striker next summer and Osimhen has become one of their top targets, reported soccer outlet 90Min.

The Blues still have Romelu Lukaku at their disposal. But Chelsea and manager Graham Potter are reportedly not planning to bring back the Belgian striker in the squad after his loan period at Inter Milan comes to an end at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. The Stamford Bridge side is preparing to offload Lukaku permanently.

It was earlier reported that amid links with Manchester United, Osimhen's agent had confirmed his talented Nigerian client wanted to continue at Napoli. The Red Devils are looking at Osimhen as a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to leave next summer.

It was possible that Osimhen refused to join Manchester United this summer because the Red Devils were not competing in the Champions League, while Napoli were. However, that won't be the case with Chelsea who are in the top four in the 2022-23 Premier League, which would see them in the top European competition yet again next season.

Chelsea are preparing to splash around $112 million for 23-year-old Osimhen, who still has a contract with the Serie A club until 2025. Apart from Chelsea and Manchester United, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also keeping a tab on Osimhen's situation at Napoli.

Victor Osimhen has scored four goals in three European games this term
Victor Osimhen is one of the top strikers in the world right now AFP / Tiziana FABI

Having established as one of the top strikers in the world, Osimhen has netted 10 or more goals in each of his last four seasons. In the ongoing campaign, Osimhen has already netted four goals and an assist in eight appearances for Napoli.

The young striker has been an influence in the success Napoli has tasted over the last year or so. The Italian club is two points clear at the top of the Serie A table with 26 points. Osimhen netted 14 goals and five assists in 27 league games last season. Napoli were in third place in the Serie A table that time.