Chelsea target Victor Osimhen has agreed terms on a new contract at Napoli which includes a release clause worth around £112million.
Osimhen is a key transfer target for Chelsea as they plot a move for a top-level striker.
The Nigeria forward has reached an agreement with Napoli on a contract until 2026 and the deal is set to end any prospect of him moving in January.
But Osimhen could still be on the move at the end of the season and a switch to Chelsea remains a possibility next summer.
A fixed price tag has now effectively been set and the Blues have been encouraged that Osimhen is open to a transfer to Stamford Bridge.
Osimhen has described Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as one of his football idols and likes the idea of playing in the Premier League.
Napoli are understood to have started lining up replacements for the 24-year-old African Footballer of the Year, with the expectation that a major club will meet his release clause.
Chelsea are still considering whether to move for a striker in January as they finalise their plans for the winter transfer window.
Mauricio Pochettino has suggested Chelsea need to spend again to boost their firepower and he wants a target man-style forward to add height, physicality and goals to his team.
Osimhen, who fired Napoli to the Serie A title last season but has had an injury-disrupted start to this season, fits that profile. He would want well in excess of £100,000-a-week and Chelsea face a big decision over whether to rip up their wage structure to land a top-class striker.
Chelsea are also interested in Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Brentford’s Ivan Toney, as well as teenagers Roony Bardghji at FC Copenhagen and Antonio Nusa at Club Brugge.
Pochettino has made it clear he is not happy with the level of his squad, despite the club spending over £1billion on new players under owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Chelsea are confident they can spend more and stay within Financial Fair Play rules.
In the short-term, the Blues are set to be boosted by the return of £52m summer signing Christopher Nkunku from the injury that has ruled him out of the first four months of the season.
Nkunku has stepped up training this week and is pushing to make his debut against Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
