Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Chelsea to make a move for Nigeria international Victor Osimhen this summer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Blues are once again set for a busy summer window and could look to fund their business by selling as many as seven or eight players as they seek to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s squad.
“I think Osimhen is a Chelsea player,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT as cited on X.com.
“He’s a better option than Nicolas Jackson, a better finisher. He’s outstanding in the air and can hold the ball up and get in behind as well. Surely that’s a no-brainer to go and get.”
Chelsea face a critical window with the club looking to sign a striker, centre back and right-footed attacker. A striker is the main priority this summer, and the Blues have paid the price for not signing an alternative to Nicolas Jackson both last summer and in January.
The Premier League giants pursued Osimhen for the majority of last summer and the Nigerian is a player the fans would love to see arrive at Stamford Bridge. Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has claimed Osimhen wants to play for Chelsea, adding weight to the speculation.
Osimhen has enjoyed a remarkable season with Galatasaray, scoring 35 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions.
The 26-year-old recently made history by breaking Turkish football’s single-season record for most goals by a foreign player, surpassing Mario Jardel’s long-standing record of 34 goals set in the 2000/01 campaign.
According to The PUNCH, the Nigerian forward achieved the feat with a brace in Galatasaray’s 3-0 win over Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final on Wednesday, helping the Istanbul giants lift their first cup trophy in six years and their record 19th in the competition’s history.
With his remarkable form in Turkey, Osimhen’s stock has risen further, and he is believed to have a release clause of around €75 million. Despite the hefty price tag, his proven goalscoring ability makes him an attractive option for Chelsea, who are desperate for a clinical finisher up front.
Chelsea have also been strongly linked with Liam Delap, who is available for just £30 million this summer following Ipswich’s relegation. The Blues are admirers of the 22-year-old, but it’s thought Manchester United are now ahead in the race for the England Under-21 international.
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig is another name under consideration for the Stamford Bridge outfit, with the striker having a release clause of around €80m.
As Galatasaray look to complete a domestic double in their final league match against Kayserispor on Sunday, Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen could intensify once the season concludes.
