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Jake Stokes

Victor Osimhen price tag revealed as Chelsea learn rivals for 'next Didier Drogba' transfer

Victor Osimhen appears to be a step closer towards leaving Napoli in the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old striker has been heavily linked with an exit from the Italian giants for some time now as he continues to impress in the Serie A.

Osimhen, who sees his deal expire in 2025, has featured 22 times for Luciano Spalletti's side this season, directly contributing towards 24 goals. His stunning displays have steered Napoli 18 points clear of second-placed Inter Milan, courting the interest of Chelsea as well as numerous other top European clubs.

According to Sky Sports Germany, the Blues are joined by Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign the Nigeria international, with various talks already taken place. The report states that the Premier League champions have enquired about Osimhen, despite having already welcomed Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to the Etihad Stadium in the summer.

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Sky Sports add that Napoli could demand at least €100million (£88m) for the Nigerian's signature. Todd Boehly found no issue with paying a similar amount for Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez in January so, with Chelsea in desperate need of an orthodox striker, the west London outfit could be tempted.

The Blues have struggled to replace Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge, with only Diego Costa and Olivier Giroud coming close to fulfilling the Ivorian's target-man role. Chelsea have experimented in recent times with Timo Werner, Pierre-Emerick Aubamyeang and Kai Havertz but none have enjoyed a steady flow of form.

So, Osimhen could be the perfect candidate to solve Chelsea's problem. But, in order for the Napoli talisman to complete his dream move to the Premier League, Jose Mourinho has given him some advice.

As quoted by Goal, the former Blues boss said: "He is of the same level as Drogba, but Didier didn’t dive. If Victor changes, then OK. I’d buy him if I was at a club with a lot of money.

"However, if he does go to England one day, he needs to change, because in Italy they put up with this sort of behaviour, whereas in the Premier League, they’d come down hard on him."

Mourinho continued by revealing what he told Osimhen when they previously crossed paths. He said: "I told him that he scored a wonderful goal and needs to stop diving so much. His goal was fantastic, he did the same thing when we met earlier this season, so he’s a fantastic player. But he mustn’t dive."

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