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Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Napoli to sign striker Victor Osimhen. The 25-year-old is not a part of the club's pre-season squad, hinting that an exit could be imminent.
Osimhen has been a star performer for the Partenopei, especially during their Serie A-winning campaign in 2022-23. The 25-year-old Nigerian contributed 26 goals and five assists in 32 games as Napoli won their first league title in more than three decades.
However, following an underwhelming title-defence campaign - where Osimhen bagged 15 goals and three assists in 25 games - the striker is seemingly on his way out of the club this summer.
Football Insider (via Caught Offside) has reported that the Blues are in talks with Napoli to snap up Osimhen, who has a reported release clause of £93.5 million. The Blues, though, are unwilling to pay that much as they seek to reinforce their attack ahead of the new season after struggling in attack last campaign.
However, Enzo Maresca's side face competition for PSG, who are eyeing Osimhen after Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer.
How have Chelsea fared in pre-season so far?
Chelsea haven't had the best of pre-seasons after Enzo Maresca assumed charge, replacing previous boss Mauricio Pochettino, who left at the end of the last season.
The Blues kicked off proceedings with a 2-2 draw with Wrexham at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara before slumping to a 4-1 loss to Celtic at the Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana.
Maresca's side registered their first pre-season win by beating Club America at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta before Manchester City beat them 4-2 in their next clash at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
The Blues have two more games left in their pre-season - Real Madrid on Tuesday (August 6) at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and Inter Milan five days later at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea open the 2024-25 season with a home clash with four-time defending champions Manchester City on August 18.
