Romano provides ‘100%’ update on Chelsea's Osimhen pursuit

Robin Bairner

• 23 Dec 2023 08:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea will have to bide their time to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the Nigeria international forward is set to sign a new contract with Napoli.

Chelsea are in the market for a centre-forward during the January transfer window and had put the 24-year-old former Lille hitman at the top of their shopping list.

A deal looked unlikely but possible as Osimhen’s current contract with Napoli will expire in the summer of 2025, but with the forward now set to commit his future to the Serie A outfit for one season longer, it appears that Mauricio Pochettino’s side will have to be patient for six months longer.

Napoli had been bullish over Osimhen’s new contract, which Romano has now confirmed as being “100% done and confirmed”.

On X, the football transfer expert stated: “The agreement between Napoli and Victor Osimhen on new deal is 100% done and confirmed.

“It will be sealed before Christmas, it’s imminent.

• Contract until June 2026.
• Huge salary rise for Victor.
• Release clause also confirmed.
• He’s expected to stay in January.

Why Osimhen has signed new Napoli deal

Osimhen’s new Napoli contract does not mean that Chelsea should forget about signing him, but rather it takes the prospect of a January move off the table.

Romano has confirmed the presence of a release clause in the deal, with this expected to be worth around €130-140 million. The Blues will likely have to trigger this to sign him at the end of the season, but the indications are that they are willing to.

For the player, meanwhile, it offers an immediate pay rise, while it also provides long-term stability should he suffer an unexpected loss of form that puts suitors off.

Napoli, meanwhile, need Osimhen fit and firing after a wretched title defence in Serie A that threatens to see them miss out on the Champions League next season. They are presently sixth in the standings and will welcome a quiet January without any noise surrounding their undoubted ace.