In the latest football transfer news, Chelsea have been given renewed hope in their pursuit of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
The Nigeria international has been a key player for Napoli over the past four years, scoring an impressive 76 goals in 133 competitive appearances. Osimhen played a crucial role in Napoli’s Serie A title triumph in the 2022-23 season, solidifying his legacy at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Despite his success at Napoli, Osimhen has expressed a desire for a new challenge and is eager to leave the Serie A club before the summer transfer deadline. Previously, Napoli had insisted that any potential suitors would need to pay the full asking price for Osimhen. However, they have now lowered their price demands in an effort to find a resolution to the situation.
Chelsea, who were rumored to be considering a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku to acquire Osimhen, appeared to face a setback when it was reported that Napoli were close to finalizing a deal with Saudi Pro League’s Al-Ahli for €45m (£38.1m). But hope has been reignited for Chelsea as Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, revealed that his client has no interest in joining a Saudi club.
According to Get Football News Italy, Calenda stated, “Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed to our mutual satisfaction. He made history in blue and when there were important offers (this year too) we always accepted the club’s decisions.”
Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen comes as they showcased their attacking prowess in a dominant 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite having a strong array of attacking talent, the Blues are still looking to strengthen their squad with the addition of a center-forward. Currently, Chelsea’s striking options include Senegal international Nicolas Jackson and 18-year-old Marc Guiu, who joined the club from Barcelona earlier this summer.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be able to secure a deal for Osimhen before the transfer window closes, but the latest developments suggest that the Blues are firmly in the race for the talented striker.
