Chelsea report: Blues scouts tip Victor Osimhen as long-term striker solution

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, wearing a protective face mask
(Image credit: Getty)

Chelsea are reportedly looking to bring in a new striker next summer and believe that Victor Osimhen of Napoli fits the bill as a long-term option up front.

The Blues signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona in September, but the Gabon international is 33 years old and the Premier League side want to find a younger alternative. 

Nigeria star Osimhen has impressed Chelsea scouts, according to 90Min, but they could face competition from the likes of Bayern Munich.

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori challenge for a header during the UEFA Champions League match between Chelsea and AC Milan on 4 October, 2022 at Stamford Bridge, London, United Kingdom

Aubameyang joined Chelsea in the summer from Barcelona.  (Image credit: Robin Jones/Getty Images)

The report comes a day after Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda underlined his client’s commitment to high-flying Napoli.

“He has a long contract with the Azzurri. The market is dynamic, but our will is to continue at Napoli and continue to do well,” Calenda told Radio Kiss Kiss.

Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in the summer of 2020 and has made an impressive impact in Serie A, scoring 32 goals in 70 Partenopei appearances.

Given the likely competition for the 23-year-old, Chelsea are considering other options too. 

Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Bologna FC at Allianz Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Turin, Italy.

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Vlahovic.  (Image credit: Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)

Canada international Jonathan David of Lille is among them, while the Londoners are also keeping an eye on Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus.

Osimhen scored 14 league goals for Napoli last season as they finished third in Serie A.

Luciano Spalletti’s side have got off to a stunning start this term; they sit two points clear on top of the league and have won all four of their Champions League outings.

Osimhen’s start to the season was hit by injury, but he returned to score two goals in two games last week in wins over Ajax and Bologna.

More Chelsea stories

Chelsea are said to have made long-term target Declan Rice their top transfer target for 2023.

Meanwhile, it's been reported that the Blues at the front of the queue to sign AC Milan and Portugal forward Rafael Leao and that they've already made an acceptable offer to RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku.

In other news, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has described how he's found it "strange" not to be playing under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea – after the German was sacked last month.

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Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.