Victor Osimhen to Chelsea? The latest state of play revealed

Cameron Smith

2 Aug 2024 13:00 BST
3 min read

Victor Osimhen, Chelsea, Napoli, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea remain interested in signing Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, although the Blues will reportedly find it difficult to sign the Nigeria international this summer.

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Osimhen, 25, has been Chelsea’s primary striker target for over a year and Enzo Maresca’s side are still pursuing a deal amid their failure to sign Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion.

Blues outcast Romelu Lukaku could head in the opposite direction as he eyes up a reunion with Antonio Conte, however Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign the Belgium international, as per reports in Italy.

This could complicate matters regarding Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen - a deal that already looks immensely difficult.

The Nigerian notched 15 goals in 25 Serie A appearances last season and while he is reportedly open to a Stamford Bridge switch, Napoli’s current asking price is an issue, as is competition from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and the Saudi Pro League.

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What has been said?

Although Chelsea remain interested in Osimhen, a deal is currently very complicated, according to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth.

He told GiveMeSport: “It's unclear whether Chelsea would be able to afford what Napoli would want. We know that his release clause is over £100 million.

“So the next best thing is to try and negotiate a loan with an obligation to buy, because Napoli will want a guarantee that at some point, Victor Osimhen's move to Chelsea, if it is to be to Chelsea, has got a permanent element to it. So that's where we are at the moment.

“There is so much work to do on this deal. I've been told it is such a complicated deal to do, but the fact that the two clubs are still in negotiation over it would imply that there is a deal to be done.

“Whether they can do that deal is a completely different matter.”

Osimhen has two years left on his current contract at Napoli, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €71.1m.