Revealed: Chelsea confident Osimhen wants to join
Cameron Smith
- 14 Nov 2023 18:02 GMT
- 4 min read
Chelsea are confident that Napoli star Victor Osimhen wants to join the club as they begin to prioritise signing the Nigerian next year.
Osimhen, 24, has been heavily linked with a Serie A exit for months, but he opted to remain in Naples during the summer, despite interest from the English top flight and the Saudi Pro League.
However, Chelsea have ‘prioritised’ signing an elite striker in 2024 and have sounded out a move for Osimhen as they look to provide Mauricio Pochettino with a proven goal-scorer.
READ MORE: Man Utd or Chelsea? Osimhen reveals his Premier League allegiance
Furthermore, the Blues now believe Osimhen “would be keen” on joining the club, according to The Evening Standard’s Nizaar Kinsella.
The 24-year-old has previously stated that Chelsea legend Didier Drogba was one of his football idols growing up and is “open” to moving to Stamford Bridge, as per the report.
The only problem is that Napoli value Osimhen at well over £100 million and are unlikely to sell the forward during the January window.
READ MORE: Who is Fidel Barajas? The 17-year-old Mexican gem wanted by Chelsea and Atletico Madrid
Osimhen rejected summer move to Saudi Pro League
Alongside interest from Chelsea, Osimhen was also pursued by the lucrative Saudi Pro League.
Furthermore, the Nigerian recently revealed that he was “tempted” by the money offered by Saudi Arabian clubs, but opted to stay at Napoli instead.
He admitted on The Obi One Podcast: “The more I said no to these people [in Saudi Arabia] the more they increased it and increased it, it was literally like, 'Wow', seeing these things,”
"I spoke with the people in charge and we spoke about it with my club and we saw what we could do, we decided, me and them and I told them, 'I like these people, I want to stay, I don't think I want to leave for now'.
“They understand where I'm coming from but they never gave up until their own transfer window [closed].
"I said to them even before we played the first game of the season, 'It's done', I really didn't want to go back thinking, of course, it's a huge one, an amazing one that's going to change my life.
"But of course, I had to make the decision that's good for my career too. As much as we play football for money there's more that comes with it.”
Osimhen has scored six goals in 10 appearances for Napoli this season, but is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. His current deal at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium runs until 2025, meaning next year is likely to be Napoli’s final chance to sell him for a fee.
