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Victor Osimhen to Chelsea early transfer verdict - Arsenal hijack, Nkunku decision, Jackson form

Chelsea will once again be linked with a move for Victor Osimhen in the January transfer window. The Nigerian was tipped to move to the Premier League in the summer, with the Blues heavily linked.

They were in the market for a striker, but did not get a deal over the line in the end, with Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku the options under Enzo Maresca.

And while Chelsea are firing on all cylinders so far this season, there is a feeling that a move for a striker will still be on the cards, particularly with question marks over Nkunku's future at the club, given his place in the squad. The Frenchman is Chelsea's top scorer in all competitions, but Jackson is seen as first choice in the Premier League.

Osimhen moved from Napoli to Galatasaray on loan in the summer, having failed to secure a permanent move away from the Italian side. And he has a clause in that loan deal that allows him to make a permanent move away if ten unnamed clubs make a move.

Chelsea are likely to be one of those clubs and we asked the football.london writers to deliver their verdict on a potential January move.

Lee Wilmot

In the summer I was all for Chelsea signing Victor Osimhen. I felt like they needed a bit of something extra up front and someone of his calibre to take them to the next level. But then I should not have doubted Nicolas Jackson.

I have liked Jackson since he came to Chelsea and felt like he needed one season to settle in, as a young striker in a new league, before we saw the real striker in him. And boy has he proved that right.

Jackson has been sensational this season and is keeping Christopher Nkunku out of the team. He had all the attributes last season to be a star, he just wasn't hitting the back of the net. Now he's settled and he knows the league, he's showing everyone what he can do.

I don't expect Nkunku to leave in January, he may well go in the summer if his options remain limited at Stamford Bridge, so Osimhen is not needed in the winter window, particularly for the price it will cost the Blues. The summer may be a different matter, but Osimhen may have found another club by then - Arsenal perhaps.

Bobby Vincent

To be perfectly honest, I have not even thought about Victor Osimhen since the summer transfer window closed. That is testament to how well Nicolas Jackson has done.

In 13 Premier League games this season, Jackson has bagged on eight occasions and provided three assists as well. His link-up with Cole Palmer has been so impressive and it shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. Jackson has become the striker Chelsea wanted when they signed him in the summer of 2023 and his form has been so strong that he has kept the ruthless Christopher Nkunku out of the side.

The Frenchman has scored an incredible 12 goals in all competitions this season but has barely played any minutes in the Premier League because of Jackson's performances. So, no, with the wages Osimhen would cost and how complicated a deal is, I think Chelsea are doing just fine without the striker.

Isaac Seelochan

It feels like Osimhen's chances of playing for a top Premier League team may be over already. His goalscoring numbers in Turkey have been okay but nothing spectacular.

If the Nigerian was available on loan, a deal might be worth considering, but a permanent transfer in January doesn't seem worth it.

Jackson has had an excellent season at Chelsea so the Blues don't need another striker unless he gets injured. They may as well keep Nkunku as backup until the summer, when more options will be available.

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