A sensational bid from Chelsea for Victor Osimhen in January now looks less likely.
Osimhen, the hot favourite to win the CAF Footballer of the Year award, has been a subject of transfer speculation to Chelsea for quite some time now, but the club would have to break their wage structure before they can sign the Nigerian.
However, according to reports from Football London, the Blues have abandoned plans to acquire the Napoli striker in the winter transfer window, given the fee they would likely need to pay to land the player.
Under the ownership of Todd Boehly, Chelsea paid a nine-figure fee to sign Enzo Fernandez last January but appears reluctant to roll out a similar sum this time around for another top signing in Victor Osimhen.
Bolstering the attack has been a top priority for Mauricio Pochettino's side given the lack of options to cover Nicolas Jackson. Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku both suffered serious injuries and had been out of action for many months.
In addition, Jackson has had a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge after being dropped quite a few times, but he has managed to recover his place in the team, scoring a hat-trick away to Tottenham Hotspur and the Blues' third goal in their recent 4-4 thrilling draw with Man City.
Chelsea's other option aside from Victor Osimhen
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has also been on Chelsea's wishlist and will most likely demand a lower fee than Victor Osimhen should the club make a bid.
Toney is open to leave the Bees after he returns from his current eight-month suspension for breaches of the English FA gambling rules.
Nonetheless, the report has it that Chelsea remain undecided about whether they will enter the market for a new striker in January, or wait until next summer.
Why Chelsea became reluctant to sign Victor Osimhen in January
The club has been bolstered by the news of Nkunku's full recovery from injury in the next couple of days.
The French international is scheduled to make his first-team return very soon, and the manager is hoping he can perform well for the London side.
Before his injury, Nkunku broke into the fiercely competitive French national team after netting 58 goals in his final two seasons with RB Leipzig.
However, he has struggled with fitness over the past 12 months, leaving Jackson to lead the line alone as the recognised striker in his absence.
In addition to Nkunku's significant return, Broja looks to be another valuable alternative for Pochettino's team in the final third following his recovery from a knee injury that sidelined him for months.
The Albanian won the penalty that sealed a draw with Man City the previous weekend, but he may have to reexamine his future at Chelsea if the club decides to bring in Osimhen or Toney.
Chelsea’s forward line came under heavy scrutiny when they managed just 13 goals in their first 10 Premier League games of the year, seven of which came against Burnley and Luton Town.
However, Pochettino's men managed to exploit Ange Postecoglou’s high-risk tactics after they were reduced to nine men in their London Derby two weeks ago as they scored four past their rivals.
The Blues followed that win with another commanding display over Pep Guardiola's Man City where they netted four goals again to banish the criticisms of their lack of bite in attack.
What's next for Chelsea?
Chelsea will next travel to Saint James' Park to take on Newcastle United after the international break where the team will look to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Pochettino's side will then kick off a busy line of December fixtures at home against Brighton on the 3rd before travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United three days later.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
