Chelsea can save £85m by signing exciting Victor Osimhen alternative for Enzo Maresca

Chelsea can save millions if they follow through with their reported plans to sign Canadian striker Jonathan David, following their unsuccessful pursuit of £85million-rated Victor Osimhen.

The Blues encountered a stumbling block with Osimhen on transfer deadline day, resulting in the Nigerian ace opting for a season-long spell at Galatasaray, albeit with a reported break clause available in January.

French champions Paris Saint-Germain may also reignite interest in securing the services of the Napoli hotshot. Meanwhile, Lille’s David looms as an attractive prospect, with his contract in France concluding this season and the potential of a free transfer next summer unless he renews.

Tuttosport has highlighted Chelsea’s keen interest, with Serie A giants Inter Milan and Juventus also on alert, thanks to Juventus’ sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli who has been following David’s trajectory since Giuntoli’s time at Napoli.

Amid the speculation, David disclosed ongoing contract negotiations with Lille in a chat with The Athletic, stating: “Right now we’re speaking with [president Oliver Letang] about a possible extension,” while hinting at the allure of entering free agency. David added: “We’ll see how that goes.”

The football star made it clear his future hangs in the balance, revealing: “I’m in the last year of my contract,” before admitting, “Eventually, my contract is going to run out.”

He added a layer of intrigue about what’s next, saying: “So then we’ll see. We’ll see what happens next year.”

Remaining open to possibilities, he disclosed: “I’m open to anything. Obviously, the Premier League is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world.”

But he further clarified, insisting: “But for me, it’s not the Premier League or bust. I’m open to anything, and every league has its challenges.”

With eyes on a potential move, it’s noted that Chelsea’s local rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have shown interest in the player. The 24-year-old Canadian international, who boasts 55 caps already, moved to Lille from Gent in 2020.