Reports from Chelsea indicate that some significantly important figures at the club would rather wait till the summer for Victor Osimhen than go after Ivan Toney in the January transfer window.
Toney has spent the last eight months serving a ban for breaking football betting rules applicable to players. He has not played in official competitions and his match fitness is at an all-time low.
However, his performances since arriving in the Premier League with Brentford have made him a choice transfer target for Chelsea who are now torn between signing him or Osimhen in the coming transfer market windows.
🚨 Not everyone in Chelsea’s senior leadership or recruitment team feels Ivan Toney is the right choice, especially mid-season when he’s gone so long without playing.#CFC
(@JacobsBen via @caughtoffside) pic.twitter.com/phXmz8FWqE
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) November 14, 2023
Toney and Osimhen: The Chelsea striker transfer dilemma
Chelsea have made no secret of their interest in Toney and Osimhen which stems from their desire to sign a new striker in the coming transfer windows.
Every Chelsea transfer news in the last few months has this on record. Todd Boehly and his team of administrators have done well to acquire enough talents across the board. Some in the media are even pointing out that the squad is bloated and could become unmanageable in the near future. However, the striker role is lacking.
Nicolas Jackson is the only striker they signed after selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Olympique de Marseille and loaning Romelu Lukaku out to AS Roma.
The Senegal striker joined fringe striker Armando Broja as one of only two number 9s in the team. The former has adapted well to the team but is not producing enough while the latter cannot stay fit to provide enough competition and cover. As a result, the Blues want to go into the market in January for a new striker.
Ben Jacobs: "Chelsea will be looking for an elite striker in 2024. They are prepared to wait until summer if they need to rather than move in January. There are a lot of links with Ivan Toney, but the price Brentford would require in January makes that quite difficult. It could… pic.twitter.com/ZkeD4cvgJC
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) November 14, 2023
This will see them offload Broja, who they value at £30 million according to reports. Fellow London side West Ham United are the main suitors for Broja and could return for him in January.
This injection of funds will help them go after either Osimhen, 24, or Toney, 27. The main issue that is dividing the Chelsea hierarchy is which striker to go for as they require immediate impact.
No official moves have been made in recent times for either player, however, but the club is aware that they have to do so quickly in order to secure their target. And for this, they have to make a decision on Toney or Osimhen.
Osimhen transfer could be influenced by certain factors, journalist claims
British Chelsea-focused journalist Nizaar Kinsella, has come out to corroborate the news while claiming that those who want Osimhen are the majority.
Kinsella has also claimed that they are willing to influence the decision to wait until the summer to go after the Super Eagles ace, who is currently recovering from an injury and unable to participate in the November international break.
He also listed some factors that could influence their pursuit of Osimhen.
In his column on one of the popular British tabloids, Kinsella wrote: “Victor Osimhen is open to a move to Chelsea, but the Blues may have to wait until next summer to prise the Nigeria forward away from Napoli.
🚨 Chelsea are unlikely to put a bid in for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the January transfer window.
(Source: Football London) pic.twitter.com/Z1OCt44Dtj
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 15, 2023
“A new striker is a top transfer priority for Chelsea and Osimhen has emerged as a key target.
“The Blues have been encouraged that the 24-year-old would be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge. He has described Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as one of his football idols and likes the idea of playing in the Premier League.
“The Blues are keeping their options open and much is likely to depend on the form of Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Armando Broja.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
