Arsenal legend believes Chelsea will use Lukaku to sign Osimhen
The 24-year-old has scored 28 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions, helping Napoli win their first league title in 33 years
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has tipped Chelsea to win the race to sign Victor Osimhen but says Blues loanee Romelu Lukaku has ‘unfinished business’ at Stamford Bridge.
Osimhen has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe after another impressive season for Serie A champions Napoli.
The 24-year-old has scored 28 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions, helping Napoli win their first league title in 33 years and reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
While a number of clubs have expressed interest in signing Osimhen, who Napoli value at more than £100m, ex-England striker Wright says he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if Chelsea brought him to Stamford Bridge.
Blues owner Todd Boehly is expected to sign a new striker for incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang flopping this season and doubts persisting over the returning Lukaku.
Chelsea spent almost £100m to re-sign Lukaku in the summer of 2021 but the Belgian only scored eight league goals last season before being loaned out to Inter Milan.
Discussing Osimhen’s sensational season at Napoli, Wright said on his Ringer FC podcast: ‘We’ve got to give him flowers man, we’ve got to.
‘I wonder where he’s going to end up? It wouldn’t surprise me if it was Chelsea. Chelsea are going to try and get him I think.’
On Lukaku’s return to Stamford Bridge, the Arsenal legend added: ‘The word on the street is that Mauricio Pochettino wants him back.
‘He’s got unfinished business here, he’s got massive unfinished business here. If I was him, I would love to know I’m going back there and I can shut a few people up. He’s got to do that. He owes it to himself to try.’
Chelsea have been one of the most successful teams in England over the past two decades but are currently just 11th in the Premier League following a dismal season.
New Chelsea owner Boehly has already sacked two managers – Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter – and his caretaker boss, Frank Lampard, has lost six of his seven games in charge.
Chelsea’s struggles come despite the Stamford Bridge owners spending almost £600m on new signings over the past 12 months. The west London outfit return to action on Saturday against relegation-battlers Nottingham Forest.
