Chelsea squad numbers available to Victor Osimhen as Mauricio Pochettino makes transfer demand
Chelsea are among the clubs interested in signing Napoli star Victor Osimhen ahead of the January transfer window. football.london understands that Chelsea were keen on the Nigerian in the summer, but Nicolas Jackson was signed from Villarreal instead.
The Blues believe that Osimhen is certainly acquirable, but a move in January is unlikely at present. With Osimhen's contract set to expire in 2025, a move could be on the cards in the upcoming transfer windows.
Earlier this month, the Napoli star was named African Footballer of the Year ahead of Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi. Osimhen featured 32 times in the Serie A last season, scoring 26 goals to get his hands on the golden boot and the Scudetto.
Reports in recent weeks have revealed issues have arisen in Osimhen's negotiations with Napoli with the report adding that there is little chance he will agree to an extension despite his club's ongoing efforts.
That has given Chelsea hope that a move for Osimhen in 2024 is a serious possibility - and while a summer transfer remains the most likely outcome, the Blues are ready to test Napoli's resolve sooner with a January bid.
Following the recent defeat against Everton, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino hinted he could dip into the transfer market to sign a new No.9 if results don't improve. "It is everything, it's not as easy to say that is the problem," Pochettino said.
"There are 11 players on the pitch that need to perform and the idea and philosophy.
The problem is why we arrive in this situation, we are dealing with this, we know why but it is difficult to explain
We know why we are dealing with this. Today, I think is different to Newcastle or Manchester United. Newcastle a few days ago lose 3-0 and Everton was much better and credit for Everton but today I think we were better than Everton and we feel disappointed and frustrated because we weren't clinical in front of goal, or we didn't create more than we should
"After five months, we need to check that is the reality.
If we do not receive enough, maybe we need to do something, some movement that is a thing to analyse with the sporting director, the owner and to change the dynamic and to improve in the second part of the season because we need to be more aggressive."
Osimhen would be a huge addition to Pochettino's squad and certainly improve their goalscoring threat. The Nigerian striker currently wears the No.9 shirt for Napoli and has previously worn the No.7, No.12 and No.16 at Lille, as well as the No.18 and No.45 in spells with Wolfsburg and RSC Charleroi - whilst at international level, the 24-year-old has worn the No.9, No.13 and No.21 for Nigeria.
Previous players to wear the No.9 at Stamford Bridge that have famously struggled to find the back of the net, including Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, Radamel Falcao and, most infamously, Fernando Torres, who scored 20 league goals in 110 games between 2011-2014.
Osimhen, if he eventually joins Chelsea, will have a decision to make if he wants to inherit the No.9 or choose a new shirt number with those currently available at Stamford Bridge being: 4, 12, 13, 22, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37-44, 46 and 48
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