Chelsea have fallen behind Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in the race to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli, with the west Londoners fearful of missing out on the striker.
Osimhen is the top target for several clubs in search of a centre-forward this summer and has a release clause of around €130m (£111m) in his contract with the Italian champions.
The Nigeria international has established himself as one of Europe’s best number nines in Naples and scored 26 league goals last season as Napoli won a first league title in 33 years.
Osimhen is expected to leave at the end of the campaign after a disappointing defence of the Scudetto and said recently he has decided on his future.
Chelsea are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old, who has spoken previously of his admiration for Blues icon Didier Drogba and his desire to compete in the Premier League.
However, TeamTalk are reporting that the west Londoners are fearful of missing out on Osimhen amid rival interest from PSG and Arsenal, given the desire to remain within a wage structure at Stamford Bridge.
PSG and Arsenal are each prepared to hand Osimhen a deal worth around £200,000-a-week, while both teams are likely to have the advantage of Champions League football on offer.
PSG have made Osimhen a leading target to replace Kylian Mbappe at the Parc des Princes, with the club’s record goalscorer set to sign for Real Madrid when his contract expires in the summer.
Arsenal, meanwhile, believe the signing of an elite centre-forward is the next step in their development under Mikel Arteta. Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus have struggled for form and fitness this season and the former is likely to move on at the end of the season.
