Maresca ‘INSISTS’ Chelsea sign €100m striker with better record than Osimhen

Chelsea continue to be linked with strikers in the January transfer window, despite Nicolas Jackson making a promising start to the season.

The Blues were closely associated with a string of player in the summer, with deals falling through at the last minute for Samu Omorodion, who was at Atletico Madrid at the time, and Victor Osimhen of Napoli.

Both players ultimately completed subsequent moves, with Omorodion hooking up with Porto and Osimhen joining Galatasaray on loan.

While a move for a proven striker like Osimhen might prove popular with Chelsea fans, it is on Omorodion that manager Enzo Maresca is “insisting” that the Blues chase, Fichajes reports.

The 20-year-old has enhanced his reputation greatly since moving to Porto in the summer for €15 million – considerably less than Chelsea were expected to pay – notably shining against Manchester United in a thrilling 3-3 Europa League draw in October.

A €100m talent?

Chelsea’s move for Omorodion collapsed at the last moment in the summer, with the striker reduced to tears that the deal did not go through.

He would have been snapped up for around €80m at that point, which was seen as an eye-watering figure for a player who had only been loaned out previously by Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone’s side, though, were insistent that Omorodion is a player who could one day move for €100m – and the Argentine could be proven right by Maresca.

His release fee is now set at €100m, and under contract until 2029, it may be that Chelsea have to trigger that figure for a transfer to be completed.

Indeed, the player appears to have little desire to leave yet. Fichajes states: “Samu is very happy with the Portuguese team and is not considering a change of scenery for the moment. However, an offer in the next transfer window could make the young Spaniard doubt his decision to become part of a winning project.”

Omorodion’s performances with Porto may have flown under the radar a little due to the prolific form of Viktor Gyokeres with Sporting CP in Portugal, yet he has still scored 11 goals in 11 appearances with the club, including two against Manchester United in the Europa League.

He offers that profile of a pure striker that Chelsea wish, which Osimhen would also provide.

The Nigerian, meanwhile, has only scored four in seven with Galatasaray, although he has also chipped in with three assists.

At 20, Omorodion is realising his talent in Porto, and Chelsea appear eager not to miss out on him again.