Chelsea remain interested in Victor Osimhen and manager Mauricio Pochettino has dropped a hint about his side’s winter transfer plans in his latest press conference.
The London club have blown hot and cold in the Premier League since the former Southampton coach arrived. Goals in particular have not been forthcoming in attack.
Pochettino, who is keen to turn the fortunes of the club around following last season’s abysmal performance, has not been able to utilize his best team this season due to numerous injuries. The likes of Ben Chilwell, Reece James and new signing Christopher Nkunku remain on the sideline while Moises Caicedo has been in and out of the team.
With the January transfer window fast approaching, teams are beginning to prepare and Chelsea are not left out.
Pochettino makes transfer claim – Osimhen in sight?
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about his side’s readiness to go into the market and get some offensive players.
🚨🔵 Napoli director Meluso when asked about top players like Victor Osimhen leaving in January: "No, no way. Absolutely not".
"Our squad is very good and we feel relaxed. Of course we can improve it but it will discuss this topic later". pic.twitter.com/arAIYoFbie
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 27, 2023
Pochettino on January window: “We are ready, working with the sporting directors to be ready. We’ll speak to see if the team needs to add players offensively”.
His comment on signing ‘offensive’ players could mean that players like Osimhen, who is not settled at Napoli at the moment, are being discussed in the boardroom.
On the other hand, Nkunku – who has been out injured prior to the start of the 2023/24 season – is going to look like a new signing for Pochettino and he dropped an update on the winger’s recovery process.
“He is doing really really well; is working really hard,” the Chelsea head coach said.
“He is close and hopefully, as soon as possible we can have him involved again. He is a really important player for us.”
“Maybe after the international break [in November] he will be involved, maybe. It’s not sure.”
Pochettino continued: “He is a player that can provide goals and we have been missing goals. That is why we think he can be important for us – he has proved he can score goals in the Bundesliga.”
“If the team needs to add players offensively” – Osimhen as an option
It is well documented that Victor Osimhen has been battling a torrid time at Napoli in recent weeks and that has led to the Nigerian’s delayed decision to extend his contract with the Serie A champions.
Osimhen, 24, has less than two years left on his current contract and could be looking at playing outside of Italy in his next transfer move if things do not work out..
Though Osimhen agreed to a new deal in the early months of the new season, he has not officially signed the contract – a decision that has infuriated the club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, saying: “If after a handshake things change, that is disappointing”.
Napoli sporting director Mauro Meluso may have dismissed the chance of striker Victor Osimhen leaving the Serie A side in the January transfer window, nothing is impossible in football transfers.
Chelsea currently lack a potent striker who can deliver the goals upfront and here is Osimhen who has notched nearly 40 goals since the start of last season.
With Osimhen largely unsettled at the moment, a convincing offer could price him away from Naples.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 days ago
