Chelsea in major transfer boost as main striker target Victor Osimhen formally asks to leave Napoli

CHELSEA have received a massive transfer boost as Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club.

Osimhen, 25, has been the Blues’ main target following a series of stunning performances in Naples that saw him leading the Partenopei to a rare Serie A title a year ago.

The star striker has amassed a staggering 76 goals and 18 assists in 133 appearances since his arrival at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in 2020 from Lille and has won legions of fans.

However, Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna revealed the Nigeria international is formally pushing for an exit.

The West Londoners continue to monitor Osimhen, whose situation could clear up within the next three weeks.

Manna said: “Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go.

“The situation is clear, there were already chances for his exit last summer… Victor wants to leave. We will see in the next 20 days”.

Chelsea are rigorously looking for a new centre-forward following an inconsistent debut season by Nicolas Jackson last term.

Manager Enzo Maresca had to largely rely on 18-year-old Marc Guiu during the summer pre-season and the young Spaniard didn’t convince he was worthy of a place in the starting line-up.

Osimhen continues to be a top target even though the Premier League giants are on the brink of completing a deal for Atletico Madrid ace Samu Omorodion.

Conor Gallagher’s switch to Atletico paved the way for Omorodion to move to Stamford Bridge.

And if Chelsea manage to land Osimhen then that could lead to another swap deal.

Napoli want to sign Romelu Lukaku if they lose the Nigerian in the opposite direction.