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Chelsea have ruled out challenging Arsenal in the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer, according to reports.
Napoli had expected Osimhen to leave this summer with the club’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, suggesting Paris Saint-Germain and the Premier League as two potential destinations.
Chelsea have previously shown interest in Osimhen, while John Obi Mikel claimed in February that the Nigeria international is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are also in the market for a striker and reports in Italy this week have claimed that Mikel Arteta’s side are the team who have shown the most interest in Osimhen in recent weeks.
And it appears Arsenal may avoid a Premier League bidding war for Osimhen as The Athletic reports that Chelsea will not make a move for the Napoli striker in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that Chelsea are unwilling to meet Osimhen’s €130 million (£110.8m) release clause, while they also have concerns over the striker’s injury record.
There is also a belief that Osimhen would not suit the style of play that Enzo Maresca plans to implement at Chelsea.
Osimhen, who missed six games for Napoli this season due to a hamstring injury, finished the campaign with 15 goals in Serie A.
Speaking in January, Osimhen claimed he already had an idea of his next move ahead of the summer window.
‘Of course, when you’re one of the hottest strikers in the world you expect this type of thing, the EPL it’s one of the biggest and best leagues in the world,’ he told CBS Sports.
‘For me, I’m with Napoli, signed a new contract and enjoying my time there with the team, at the end of the season I’ve already made up my mind, I already know what I want to do in my career.
‘Since I’ve started, I’ve been the one making my own decisions on everything and it’s working out well for me, even though when I started it didn’t go so well.
‘I already have my plan, I already know the next step I want to take, so for now I just want to finish the season strong.’
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