Chelsea’s plan to bring Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to Stamford Bridge appears to be on shaky ground again, with fresh reports suggesting the club is already preparing for an alternative. Aston Villa’s in-form forward Ollie Watkins has now emerged as a top backup plan amid ongoing doubts surrounding Osimhen’s wage demands.
A report from EPL Index notes that Chelsea has opened communication with Aston Villa regarding a possible summer transfer for Watkins, in the event that talks with Napoli over Osimhen fail once again. Despite Osimhen still being the club’s top target, his salary expectations continue to be a major stumbling block.
Last summer, the deal to sign Osimhen fell apart reportedly due to his £250,000-per-week wage demand. This high financial request seems to be repeating itself, leaving Chelsea hesitant to proceed. Though Osimhen is expected to move permanently this window after his loan spell at Galatasaray, Chelsea are reportedly unwilling to meet his current demands.
The Blues are instead considering a move for Watkins, who has had a strong season with 15 goals for Aston Villa. Though not a typical BlueCo-style signing due to his age, the 29-year-old’s experience in the Premier League and his proven ability to score consistently have made him a serious option.
EPL Index states that Chelsea would be willing to match Villa’s £60 million valuation to secure the striker’s services.
While Chelsea assess the financial and tactical risks of pursuing Osimhen, other clubs are circling. Saudi Arabian teams are ready to activate his €75 million release clause and reportedly offer wages of £750,000 per week. Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping an eye on him, but it remains unclear how far they are willing to go.
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Chelsea is keeping its options open. The club is also said to be monitoring other forwards, including Benjamin Šeško of RB Leipzig and Liam Delap of Ipswich Town. These alternatives could be explored further if the Osimhen deal remains unworkable.
