Chelsea hopeful of sensational Osimhen deal as Sterling to Arsenal gets ‘serious’

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 30 Aug 2024 20:19 BST
• 2 min read

Chelsea still do not consider a move for Victor Osimhen to be dead, while they are also in talks with Arsenal over a deal for Raheem Sterling in what promises to be a fraught end to the summer transfer window for the Stamford Bridge club.

The Osimhen saga has twisted and turned throughout Deadline Day, with the Nigeria international forward reportedly furious at Napoli for jeopardising a potential move to Stamford Bridge.

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With time running out in the transfer window, though, Chelsea are still hopeful that a late deal can be brokered for the 25-year-old, which would be one of the most memorable pieces of Deadline Day business ever if it could be forced over the line at the 11th hour.

Ben Jacobs said: “Chelsea still don't consider a Victor Osimhen move dead. Difficult to pull off, but as of 19:30, Chelsea are still actively trying.”

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Compared

Raheem Sterling

M (L), AM (R)

Chelsea

Raheem Sterling

M (L), AM (R)

Chelsea

VS

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

€52.1M	ETV	€71.1M
€39.1M - €65.1M	ETV Range	€53.3M - €88.9M
29 years old (08 Dec, 1994)	Age	25 years old (29 Dec, 1998)
England	Nationality	Nigeria

Sterling to Arsenal advancing

Another deal that the Blues are seeking to force over the line is to offload Raheem Sterling to Arsenal.

Sterling had previously appeared likelier to move to Manchester United in exchange for Jadon Sancho, but a switch to the Emirates now appears likely.

“Arsenal and Chelsea have held late talks over a loan move for Raheem Sterling. Still no discussions directly with Sterling and unclear if anything will materialise. Sterling is open to Arsenal if it does,” Jacobs adds.

The Mirror’s John Cross says: “Arsenal now having serious talks over a loan deal for Raheem Sterling. What looked impossible a few hours ago, now has a genuine chance.”

If these two moves appear destined to go to the wire, there is less certainty over Chelsea’s capture of Sancho.

Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg tweeted: “Still no agreement between Manchester United and Chelsea about a deal for Jadon Sancho!

“Both teams remain in contact to find a solution. Negotiations ongoing. Sancho wants the deal.”

Three blockbuster transfers are still in the pipeline at Chelsea, but Osimhen and Sterling look likeliest to get done.