Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'weighing up alternatives to Paris Saint-Germain-linked Victor Osimhen'

By Ben Sully | 19 February 2024

Chelsea 'weighing up alternatives to PSG-linked Osimhen'

Chelsea reportedly consider alternative targets to Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, who is attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to consider alternatives to Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, who is said to be a target for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Blues strengthened their forward options last summer, recruiting Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku from Villarreal and RB Leipzig respectively.

However, Chelsea are still expected to sign another striker this summer, with Osimhen believed to be their priority target.

The Nigeria international is likely to leave the Italian club at the end of the season despite penning a new deal in December to extend his stay until June 2026.

A recent report claimed that Chelsea are willing to pay Osimhen's full €130m (£111m) release clause to win the race to secure his signature.

Brentford's Ivan Toney during the warm up before the match on February 5, 2024 © Reuters

However, PSG are also believed to be keen on signing the 25-year-old, as they start to prepare for life after Kylian Mbappe.

The France international is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer after informing PSG of his decision to leave the club when his contract expires in June.

With PSG set to save around €200m (£171m) a season with Mbappe's departure, they are seemingly ready to splash out on signing his replacement ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

As a result of PSG's interest, the Evening Standard are reporting that Chelsea are looking at alternatives in case they lose the battle to sign Osimhen.

The report claims that Brentford's Ivan Toney and Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson are among the names being considered by the Blues.

Evan Ferguson celebrates scoring for Brighton & Hove Albion on October 28, 2023 © Reuters

Toney has scored four goals in five matches since returning from an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association's betting regulations.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank recently admitted that the England international could be sold this summer, with his contract set to expire in June 2025.

Ferguson, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the Premier League's brightest young talents, having scored 12 goals in a total of 43 top-flight appearances for the Seagulls.

Brighton are under no immediate pressure to sell the highly-rated prospect, who is under contract until the summer of 2029.

In addition to Toney and Ferguson, Chelsea are believed to be scouring the market for other forward targets ahead of the summer transfer window.