Chelsea offered encouragement over Victor Osimhen transfer | OneFootball

Victor Osimhen wants to play for Chelsea and would be keen on joining the club this summer, according to former midfielder John Obi Mikel.

Mikel, who is close to fellow Nigerian Osimhen, admitted he was involved in Chelsea's failed pursuit of the Napoli striker last summer, claiming a deal was "hours" away from being struck and could be reignited with ease in the future.

Chelsea declined to sign a new striker following the breakdown in talks with Osimhen but are back in the market this year, with the 26-year-old one of many options understood to be of interest to the Blues.

It was reported earlier this week that Osimhen's many suitors, including Arsenal and Manchester United, expect the Napoli striker to move to Saudi Arabia this summer, although that was soon followed by claims he is keen to move to the Premier League and continue his career in a top European division.

If Chelsea do opt to reignite their pursuit of Osimhen, then Mikel believes an agreement could be fairly simple to reach.

Mikel believes a move for Osimhen is possible / Phil Cole/GettyImages

"Listen, it will be really sad if we don't get a player who supported us a kid and wants to play for this football club," Mikel told The Obi One Podcast.

"His idol is [Didier] Drogba, he will want to break records, win us trophies, get us back to the top, come for Drogba's records. I'm telling you that would be his mission.

"If the club chose not to pursue it.. then, well, fair enough, good luck to them, but the good thing about it is we know where we left it, we can literally pick the phone up and get him straight in the door. Get him in!"

While Osimhen is admired by many inside Stamford Bridge, he is no longer thought to be a priority target for the Blues, who are looking for a younger option to dovetail with Nicolas Jackson.

Ipswich Town's Liam Delap has emerged as a key option, while RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and impending free agent Jonathan David of Lille have also been named as candidates.