Chelsea scouting Victor Orapko

Chelsea have informed their head scout to monitor the progress of Nigerian 19-year-old forward Victor Orapko, as the Blues weigh up a transfer move for the talented striker in the summer of 2026. Orapko, who plays for Nice, is currently on loan at Montpellier for the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season and is very highly rated in France.

Orakpo’s defining attribute is his powerful physical presence paired with natural scoring sense. Even while still a youngster, his frame and attacking instinct suggests that he can dominate duels and impose himself inside the box. Though he's only managed a handful of professional appearances (4 Ligue 1 matches and a Europa League cameo with Nice), his current loan to Montpellier in Ligue 2 is strategically aimed at giving him regular minutes and accelerating his development into a consistent senior contributor.

The 6 foot 4 forward has caught the eye of Chelsea's scouts after he had been tracked since transferring to Nice in January of 2024, and the Blues are known to be looking for a long-term striker and in Orapko the club think they may have found him. Uncertainty remains over the future of Nicolas Jackson and whilst the club have brought in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this summer, it is understood that the club are seeking an out-and-out striker to add to their forward ranks from next season.