In a surprising turn of events, Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ahli have reportedly emerged as front-runners in the race to sign Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, leaving Chelsea behind in the pursuit. The deal is said to be worth a staggering £55.1m, a significant amount that has caught many by surprise.
Chelsea had been chasing Osimhen all summer, but Napoli’s initial demand of around £113m as his release clause proved to be a major stumbling block. However, with Osimhen now expressing his desire to leave and being frozen out of Antonio Conte’s squad, Napoli have softened their stance on the transfer fee.
The potential arrival of Romelu Lukaku at Napoli for a reported €45m (£38.1m) seemed to pave the way for Osimhen to move to Chelsea, even if a player swap involving Lukaku did not materialize. Despite this, a deal between Chelsea and Napoli is yet to be finalized, and reports suggest that Al-Ahli are closing in on an agreement with the Italian club.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Al-Ahli are prepared to offer a package worth €65m (£55.1m) to Napoli, with the deal between the clubs almost complete pending a few minor details. However, personal terms with Osimhen are still unresolved, with the striker reportedly seeking an “important” salary and a release clause in his contract.
Osimhen, who has been a prolific goal scorer for Napoli in recent years, has not featured for the club this season due to the ongoing transfer speculation. Despite signing a new contract with Napoli in December 2023, his long-term future remains uncertain, with the release clause primarily aimed at protecting his transfer value.
With the possibility of missing out on Osimhen, Chelsea may need to consider alternative options in the transfer market. One potential candidate could be Jonathan David, who replaced Osimhen at Lille and is set to be out of contract in 2025. The Canadian striker could be available for a more affordable fee, making him a viable option for Chelsea if the Osimhen deal falls through.
As the transfer window deadline approaches, Chelsea will need to act quickly to secure a new striker, whether it be Osimhen or another target. With Al-Ahli making significant strides in their pursuit of the Nigerian forward, Chelsea may need to shift their focus to other options in order to bolster their attacking options for the upcoming season.
