Osimhen 'agent' Mikel John Obi says Napoli striker 'loves' Chelsea

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 29 Feb 2024 16:13 GMT
• 4 min read

Victor Osimhen will be a man in demand this summer but the Napoli striker appears to have one main club in his sights, with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel admitting he is acting as an ‘agent’ to bring the Nigerian to Stamford Bridge.

Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli this summer, having signed a new contract last year which is believed to contain a release clause of around €100 million.

The 25-year-old has been prolific in recent times, scoring 37 goals in Serie A since the start of last season, and he has repeatedly revealed his desire to move to the Premier League in the future, as well as professing his admiration for his idol Didier Drogba, whom he grew up watching at Chelsea.

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The Blues are believed to be frontrunners to sign Osimhen and will push to sign him in the summer, with Mikel joking that he has been like an agent in pushing the striker to join Chelsea.

“I think there’s genuine interest between both [parties]. I think he loves the club, he wants to come to the club. Obviously he wants to follow in my footsteps as a Nigerian player playing for Chelsea,” Mikel said at the Web Summit in Qatar.

“He’s looked at London as well, fantastic city. Instead of Liverpool or places like that, you want to live in London. But he also has a lot of interest from teams like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

“I’m still pushing and sending messages and trying to make sure he doesn’t expect too much, just narrow your mind on one club – the Blues.”

Osimhen could have Erling Haaland effect on Chelsea, claims Mikel

Chelsea have struggled to find a regular source of goals this season, with Cole Palmer the club’s top scorer, although five of his ten strikes have come from the penalty spot.

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Summer signing Nicloas Jackson has proven inconsistent in his appearances and Mikel believes Osimhen could make himself a Chelsea legend if he does make the move to West London.

“I am pushing. I hope he comes to the club because he will bring so much to them,” Mikel said. “I think one thing we lack is scoring goals, we need a striker who will score. And that’s what Victor will give you.

“He’s not the most skillful guy but goals? Definitely he will guarantee. If he could get us 20-plus goals this season, who knows.

“That’s what Erling Haaland does, that’s why he’s one of the best. He’s not really there for link ups but get the ball to him in the box and he will finish and that’s something that Osimhen would give us, so let’s hope it works out and he comes to Chelsea and becomes a legend.”