Chelsea keen on Osimhen amid plans for rebuild under Pochettino

Chelsea are lining up an audacious move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer amid plans for a summer rebuild under soon-to-be manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino, who has agreed to take over as permanent boss at the end of the season, is keen to sign a striker, according to the Guardian.

The Todd Boehly-led administration have spent an outrageous amount of money on new recruits since taking over the club, yet certain areas in the squad still need reinforcements.

Chelsea are keen to sign a goalkeeper and a defensive midfielder, while a new winger is also on the summer shortlist, but a striker is understood to be the priority.

Romelu Lukaku will return to Stamford Bridge when his loan deal with Inter Milan expires, with the Belgian set to be handed a Chelsea lifeline under Pochettino’s stewardship.

However, that has not stopped the club from scouring the market for a top striker, and Osimhen ticks all their boxes, but they will face serious competition for the Serie A top scorer.

The Nigerian international is subject to interest from several European heavy-spenders, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

Bayern Munich were also keen on the former Lille man, but they have since cooled their interest, with the German champions now looking at Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.

Chelsea have struggled to score goals this season which has been one of the highlights of their abysmal campaign, with only Southampton, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers netting fewer times than the Blues.

They are set to finish the troubled season in the bottom half of the Premier League table, which could scupper their plans to lure Osimhen to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Napoli have slapped a huge €150 million asking price on their prized asset, while president Aurelio De Laurentiis has shut the door on a potential summer departure.

However, the right amount could convince De Laurentiis into a change of heart. But without European football, Chelsea will have to sell themselves to Osimhen if they wish to steal a march on other potential suitors.