Victor Osimhen: Chelsea face only one risk to completing blockbuster transfer

Robin Bairner

• 22 Feb 2024 09:34 GMT
• 3 min read

Victor Osimhen is set for a summer transfer, with Chelsea leading the way for the Napoli striker ahead of Arsenal and PSG.

Indeed, there is only one risk of the Stamford Bridge side missing out on Osimhen, according to a report.

FootballTransfers has previously indicated that the Blues are out in front of their rivals in the race for the 25-year-old Nigeria international hitman, who netted Napoli’s equaliser in a 1-1 Champions League draw with Barcelona on Wednesday.

Osimhen signed a new contract late in 2023 that guaranteed him the opportunity to depart in the summer – but only if a team is willing to pay the €120-130 million release fee that is stipulated in the deal.

Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG all appear willing to go that high for a player who has scored nine goals in 19 appearances this season.

The Blues have been conducting a charm offensive led by legendary striker Didier Drogba, and it appears that this could be paying dividends.

TeamTalk reports that Osimhen’s admiration for Chelsea stems back to his days as a child, when he would watch the African players at the club, such as Drogba and Jon Obi Mikel, and was inspired by them to reach the top of the game.

Just one threat to Chelsea’s Osimhen deal

There is a warning that a deal is not a formality, though.

Chelsea’s need to comply with the Premier League’s sustainability rules could throw a spanner in the works of a transfer.

Furthermore, Osimhen’s wage demands could be problematic, opening the door for Arsenal or PSG to hijack the deal.

The willingness of the player to move to Chelsea may mean that the Blues are able to overcome this obstacle, yet the financial power of PSG could pose an issue, particularly as they are set on finding a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

Osimhen is within reach for Chelsea, but he’s not theirs yet.