Koulibaly's transfer advice to Chelsea target Osimhen

Stuart Telford

• 27 Jun 2023 16:53 BST
• 3 min read

Kalidou Koulibaly says former Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen should plot his own path as Chelsea look to sign the Nigerian goal machine this summer.

Osimhen is in high demand this summer after firing Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years with a league-high 26 goals.

Chelsea are among the favourites to sign the Nigeria international, even if Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis wants €150 million and the Blues have already recruited Nicolas Jackson and Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards.

READ: Chelsea's key to signing Osimhen ahead of Man Utd

Osimhen grew up a fan of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and has been pictured as a youngster wearing his jersey.

Koulibaly completed what he thought might be a dream move to Stamford Bridge last summer, meanwhile, joining for €38m, but after a single, disappointing season, he has already moved onto Al-Hilal for €25m.

Osimhen 'among the best in the world'

Back in Napoli on holiday before completing his move to Saudi Arabia, Koulibaly lifted the lid on his relationship with Osimhen.

READ: How much money will Chelsea make from Saudi selling spree?

"We speak once in a while and if he needs, he'll call me," he told Corriere dello Sport. "Victor's an important player, among the best in the world.

"Gennaro Gattuso helped him, Luciano Spalletti was a turning point for him and now he needs nobody. He must feel free to choose without listening to anyone else. That's the only way not to have regrets."

Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a move for Osimhen this summer, and they are among a handful of clubs who could afford him - outside of Saudi Arabia. Whilst stopping short of telling Osimhen to join him, he did reflect on his own move.

"I'm happy with my decisions for many reasons," he said. "I'm Muslin and in the right country. I'm happy to play in a league that's evolving… I can help my family live well, my parents and cousins, and sustain the social activities of my NGO in Senegal…"