Chelsea could be set to go head to head with Arsenal in a huge transfer race for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen next summer.
That’s according to FootballTransfers who say that both clubs have now made contact with Napoli for the striker.
The report says that Osmihen is now considered Chelsea’s number one target for the 2024 summer transfer window.
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And the same source has previously shared the same news about Arsenal.
Therefore it looks like the London rivals could be set for a transfer race similar to that of Mykhaylo Mudryk.
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Arsenal and Chelsea were both vying for the Ukrainian’s signature last season but the latter proved to have too much financial muscle.
And fast-forwarding to next summer, some Arsenal fans may be worried about a similar outcome.
Although it has transpired that Arsenal perhaps got the better deal when they turned to Leandro Trossard after Mudryk, Osimhen seems a guaranteed success.
The ‘extraordinary’ forward is already one of Europe’s best strikers and would surely be a phenomenal player in the Premier League.
Chelsea will now rival Arsenal for Osimhen
Whilst Arsenal may be worried about competition from Chelsea, they’re probably slightly concerned about Osimhen’s asking price too.
Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis has quoted some quite unbelievable prices when discussing any move next summer.
And although it may have been more of a deterrent to interested clubs than a realistic figure, the president has been quoted naming a price of £428m.
Of course neither Arsenal nor Chelsea would be willing to go anywhere near that figure, yet they still remain interested in Osimhen.
Therefore, there must be a belief among both clubs that a deal can be concluded for considerably less.
Osimhen is a star and fans who have watched him closely may expect a similar impact to that of Erling Haaland at Manchester City if he arrives in England.