- 23 hours ago
Romano makes Osimhen guarantee to Chelsea as striker demands €30m-per-year contract
Robin Bairner
- 29 Aug 2024 06:48 BST
- 4 min read
Fabrizio Romano has promised Chelsea that they have a free run to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen before the summer transfer window shuts.
Chelsea have outlasted the likes of PSG in Arsenal in maintaining an interest in Osimhen, whose employers have successfully scared off prospective buyers. All these clubs have been told that they must meet the €130 million in the 25-year-old Nigeria international’s release clause to do a deal.
Napoli could relent on this figure due to their need to sell the striker before the transfer deadline and the Blues are in talks with him.
READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals
Current ETV
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Napoli
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Napoli
ETV Range
€53.3M - €88.9M
But they are not the only club taking an interest: Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli are in talks with the forward too.
Romano, though, claims that the possibility of a move to the Middle East only opens up if a Chelsea deal falls through.
He has tweeted: “Chelsea in active talks with Osimhen on salary. Al-Ahli deal will only happen if CFC talks collapse.”
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Osimhen to the Saudi Pro League
Football transfer news expert Ben Jacobs has reported in depth over the possibility of Osimhen going to the Saudi Pro League on what would be an incredible contract.
“Saudi sources say Victor Osimhen wants at least €30m-per-season to consider Al-Ahli, with bonuses taking the salary package even higher,” Jacobs says.
“Osimhen would also expect a release clause, with Napoli likely to take a sell-on from it raising the potential package value a bit closer to their original €100m+ valuation.
“In the past, and even with more time left in previous windows, Al-Ahli have given players just 48 hours to decide. But Osimhen is being allowed to take his time to negotiate so far.
“Chelsea can’t/won’t match the proposed Saudi terms, but are still trying to get player buy in. Feeling remains negotiations with Napoli will be smoother than on the player side.
“Osimhen is keeping all options open, but Chelsea will move on to other targets if the Nigerian striker doesn’t agree to fit in to their wage structure.”
Sky Sports reports that Osimhen has indeed been offered the €30m he has asked for, while Romano confirmed the Napoli hitman will get the release clause he wants.
The ball is, therefore, in Chelsea’s court.
