Ahead of the summer transfer window, Chelsea is reportedly keeping a close eye on striker Gift Orban as Mauricio Pochettino looks to strengthen his team.
What’s new with Gift Orban going to Chelsea?
The Evening Standard reports that Chelsea, along with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Fulham, have sent scouts recently to watch Orban play for Gent.
Last month, Fabrizio Romano stated that the 20-year-old is “expected to be on the move this summer” and that his asking price could be higher than €20 million (£17 million). Additionally, because his current contract isn’t set to expire until 2027, Chelsea might have to fork over much more money to sign him.
Could Gift Orban serve as Chelsea’s Victor Osimhen replacement?
It’s no secret that Chelsea wants to sign Napoli striker Osimhen this summer, but with the Serie A club reportedly demanding €150 million (£132 million), football.london reports that the Blues may want to look at other targets who could cost considerably less than the Nigerian international.
Osimhen led Napoli to their first Scudetto since 1990 with 23 league goals this season. With the Premier League as his next stop, will Chelsea prevail in the race to sign him?
Pochettino may decide the aforementioned price is too high and concentrate his efforts on someone like Orban, who could join for a much lower cost and who, after a few years in England, could develop into a striker of Osimhen’s calibre.
Jacek Kulig, a football talent scout, recently praised the striker, calling him a “superb finisher with both feet” and saying that he is “born to score.” The striker’s statistics this season in front of goal undoubtedly justify this lavish praise.
The youngster has scored 19 goals in just 19 games for Gent since moving to Belgium from Stabaek in January, including three hat-tricks. You would think he is only going to get better.
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He has already established himself as Gent’s best player this season with a Sofascore average of 7.54/10, and he has certainly made a big impact since moving to Belgium by ranking second in goals scored (14), first in shots on target per game (2.2), and third in successful dribbles (0.9).
Orban could be a great investment because of his seemingly limitless talent and the fact that Pochettino wants to assemble his own team for the upcoming season.
