The Nigerian, who is currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, is said to be open to a move to Chelsea, with his agent holding “positive” talks with co-owner Behdad Eghbali.
“I understand Chelsea have had contact with Osimhen’s entourage in recent weeks/days to discuss the possibility of the Napoli striker joining Chelsea” , Simon Phillips, a reporter for the BBC, reported.
“They have received positive feedback, with the understanding that Osimhen would be willing to join Chelsea.” Behdad Eghbali initiated this contact and is now friendly with Osimhen’s agent. That doesn’t mean Chelsea are certain to sign Osimhen, nor does it mean he wouldn’t be open to joining other clubs if the opportunity arose.
Unfortunately, a move for Osimhen is now’more likely to gather pace in the summer,’ potentially leaving the Blues with no options for the second half of the season.
Christopher Nkunku has been injured, and Nicolas Jackson has been inconsistent in front of goal, and it appears that Chelsea has been offered a number of short-term striker solutions.
According to HITC, the Blues have been offered a number of strikers in the last 48 hours, including Greece international Vangelis Pavlidis of AZ Alkmaar.
“Sources also believe that AZ Alkmaar Vangelis Pavlidis, Zenit St Petersburg’s Mateo Cassierra, Cercle Brugge’s Kevin Denkey and Atletico Mineiro’s Paulinho are amongst a host of names who have been offered to them this month.”
Pavlidis is arguably one of the most intriguing names among the four, with the 25-year-old starring in the Netherlands this season, scoring 22 goals in 27 games.
The striker began his career with VfL Bochum in Germany before joining Willem II in the Netherlands in 2019. He then changed to
AZ Alkmaar in 2021, and his Transfermarkt valuation has risen from €2.5 million to a career-high €25 million.
As a result, signing Pavlidis this month for the second half of the season may be a wise move before potentially targeting someone like Osimhen in the summer.
