Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, has agreed to leave Serie A champions, Napoli, for a move to Chelsea in the summer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
According to TEAMtalk, the 25-year-old, who has a release clause of around £112m, will not be moving this month but is willing to sign a pre-agreement in January before making the switch to Chelsea official at the end of the season.
The report also states that the likes of Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel have been in regular contact with Osimhen, hoping to persuade him to join Chelsea.
Chelsea have been keen to add a top centre-forward to their ranks for the majority of this season and have Osimhen at the top of their list.
The Blues are also keen on Ivan Toney, but his age and high asking price are seen as barriers to a move to Stamford Bridge.
TEAMtalk reports that the Nigeria international would welcome an approach from the London side and would be happy to agree a pre-agreement this month that would see him officially make the move in the summer.
The Napoli star man will not move this month and the pre-agreement is the only way that a deal will be agreed in this window.
Osimhen recently signed a new deal that secured Napoli a big fee, with a release clause of around £112m attached, a fee that Napoli will demand if they are to sanction a deal this month.
Multiple sources in Italy expect some movement to happen in the coming weeks and are convinced this is the last season they will see the forward in the famous light blue of the Serie A champions.
There is also building pressure on Chelsea to make their move as soon as possible, with the likelihood of a transfer battle in the summer as more clubs will be at the table for Osimhen’s signature.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side experienced a similar situation recently when they signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica last summer.
Osimhen would become one of the club’s highest-paid players in the summer should he complete the move. Chelsea boss Pochettino has been pushing the board to add more ready-made experience to his young squad and Osimhen will offer that.
