Newcastle join race to capture Osimhen as pressure piles on Chelsea

Newcastle United will be given the opportunity to sign top Chelsea striker target Victor Osimhen in the summer, according to a stunning report.

Osimhen was expected to leave Napoli on a permanent basis last summer amid links with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabian clubs. But the centre-forward was left stranded when no deal materialised before the transfer deadline for most European clubs.

With Osimhen having been cast out by Napoli and replaced by Romelu Lukaku, the Nigeria star was facing a hugely frustrating season away from first-team football.

But Galatasaray came to Osimhen's rescue by signing him on a season-long loan. Galatasaray will try to land Osimhen permanently, though they will likely struggle to convince him on such a transfer.

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle 'are set to be offered' the player's signing when he searches for a new club at the end of the season.

Osimhen's camp feel Newcastle are one of several Premier League clubs who might be interested in capturing their client in a big-money deal.

These representatives are aware that Newcastle scouted the 25-year-old prior to his transfer from Belgian side Charleroi to Lille in August 2019.

Newcastle officials were likely impressed by Osimhen's exploits against Premier League opposition recently. He scored twice to help Galatasaray beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Previously, Osimhen's £200k-a-week wage demands would have been higher than what Newcastle are willing to pay. But the goalscorer is now earning £110k per week at Galatasaray, and that is more in line with Newcastle's preferred financial structure.

The Chronicle add that if Osimhen proves too expensive to sign, or he heads elsewhere, then Lille's Jonathan David will likely emerge as a top target for the Magpies.