Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian striker, has agreed to leave Serie A winners Napoli for a summer move to Chelsea, according to Platinumtimes.
According to TEAMtalk, the 25-year-old, who has a release clause of roughly £112 million, will not be leaving this month but is willing to sign a pre-contract with Chelsea in January before making the move permanent at the end of the season.
According to the source, Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel have been in constant touch with Osimhen in an attempt to persuade him to join Chelsea.
Chelsea have been looking for a top centre-forward for the bulk of the season, and Osimhen is at the top of their list.
The Blues are also interested in Ivan Toney, although his age and exorbitant asking price are viewed as impediments to a move to Stamford Bridge.
According to TEAMtalk, the Nigeria international would welcome an approach from the London club and would be willing to sign a pre-contract this month that would see him formally join the club in the summer.
The Napoli star will not leave this month, and a pre-agreement is the only way a deal can be agreed upon during this window.
Osimhen just signed a new contract that secured a large sum for Napoli, with a release clause of about £112 million attached, a fee that Napoli will demand if a trade is sanctioned this month.
Multiple sources in Italy expect some movement in the coming weeks and believe this is the last season they will see the forward in the Serie A champions’ renowned light blue.
There is also increasing pressure on Chelsea to make a move as soon as possible, with the possibility of a summer transfer battle as more teams compete for Osimhen’s signature.
Last summer, Mauricio Pochettino’s side faced a similar dilemma when they signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
If Osimhen completes the transfer, he will become one of the club’s highest-paid players in the summer. Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, has been pushing the board to add more ready-made experience to his youthful side, and Osimhen will provide that.