Chelsea already planning to outdo Enzo Fernandez fee after deciding on main striker target to make Man Utd anxious

Chelsea are “not scared” by the prospect of having to break their transfer record for the second time in 2023, according to a report that has revealed who their top striker target is.

During the January transfer window, Chelsea took their spending to new heights by breaking the Premier League transfer record to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for €120million (£106.8m).

It encapsulated just how big they are willing to go in the transfer market under Todd Boehly’s ownership. For the second consecutive transfer window, Chelsea spent more than any other club in January.

But they are not yet ready to slow down their recruitment drive. There are a couple of areas of their squad that still need addressing.

For example, Chelsea need to settle on a starting goalkeeper, might need another midfielder alongside Fernandez, and certainly could do with a reliable centre-forward.

Chelsea have encountered issues with several strikers in recent years. Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all arrived at the club after prolific form elsewhere, but couldn’t replicate it at Stamford Bridge.

Aubameyang is now being heavily linked with a move to LAFC in the MLS. Therefore, Chelsea will need to identify another striker who can lead their line in the long term.

In that regard, an update from 90min has revealed that Chelsea have chosen Victor Osimhen as their top target up front.

The Nigeria international has been influential for Napoli in their pursuit of the Serie A title this season. Osimhen has scored 16 goals from 17 league games.

Thanks to his form, Osimhen has become a major target for Manchester United. Indeed, the Red Devils have recently been classed as the favourites to sign him.

But they now face competition from Chelsea, who 90min claim are “not scared” by Napoli’s asking price. The Italians want up to €150million (£132.8m) for their main man.

Chelsea could therefore break their transfer record for a second time in 2023 if they do manage to prise Osimhen away in the summer. He is under contract with Napoli, though, until 2025.

According to the report, one way for Chelsea to adjust the price of Osimhen would be to offer a counterpart like Romelu Lukaku in return. Lukaku is currently on loan elsewhere in Serie A, but his second spell with Inter has been blighted by injury.

Still, Inter are hoping to discuss the option of keeping Lukaku for longer. Therefore, Chelsea may need to think of who else they could send towards Naples.

Victor Osimhen to answer Chelsea attacking woes

Either way, Osimhen is someone they want to get their hands on. At the age of 24, his best years are still ahead of him. Perhaps he could spend them in west London.

Despite never playing in the Premier League before, Osimhen has the perfect blend of power and intelligence to be able to make himself a success in English football.

It could end up being a choice between Chelsea and Man Utd if he is ready to take that leap. But the Blues are, according to the report, the “desperate” ones in the race for Osimhen.

Napoli are insistent that they do not have to sell the former Lille star. Yet a bid of more than £130m would be hard for anyone to turn down.

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