Chelsea are reportedly prepared to trigger the €130m (£111m) release clause in Victor Osimhen’s Napoli contract in order to secure the striker’s signature during this summer’s transfer window.

The 25-year-old scored 26 Serie A goals last season to help fire Napoli to the title, but it has been a different story for the Blues this season, with the team currently down in ninth position in the table.

Osimhen signed a new contract at Napoli last December, but his terms were only extended until June 2026, and he is set to leave the Italian champions during the summer market.

At the end of last month, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis told reporters: “This was already known since this summer, our negotiations [over the new contract] were friendly, otherwise it would not have been so long.

“We knew he would go to Real Madrid, PSG or a top English club.”

Paris Saint-Germain are said to view Osimhen as a possible replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who has informed the club that he will be leaving on a free transfer this summer.

Real Madrid are set to finally complete a move for Mbappe, which will all but rule Carlo Ancelotti’s side out of the running for Osimhen.

According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Chelsea are planning to ‘speed things up’ for Osimhen, with the Blues expecting firm competition from PSG in the light of the Mbappe news.

Galetti claimed that Mauricio Pochettino’s side have already agreed to pay the full €130m (£111m) release clause, but the payment structure needs to be negotiated between the two clubs.

The Nigeria international was in strong form for Napoli during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 31 goals and registering five assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.

However, he has only managed eight goals and three assists in 18 appearances this term and has recently been absent for Napoli due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Osimhen helped Nigeria reach the final of the tournament, but Cote d’Ivoire recorded a 2-1 victory to secure the trophy on home soil, with Sebastian Haller netting the winner late on.

Napoli played out a 1-1 draw with Genoa in Serie A on Saturday and are now preparing to welcome Barcelona for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie. (The Nation)

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