Chelsea, PSG or Saudi? Osimhen 'hope remains' despite 'point of no return'

Tom Weber

Updated: 27 Aug 2024 13:11 BST
4 min read

Victor Osimhen, Chelsea, PSG, Saudi — © IMAGO

The pressure on everyone involved in the Victor Osimhen saga is reaching a fever pitch.

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The striker's future remains up in the air with just three days remaining in the European and six in the Saudi transfer window. As again reiterated on Monday, Osimhen is hoping for PSG to reignite their interest in him.

According to Italian media, this remains the idea of the player as his relationship with Napoli has reached a 'point of no return.' He desperately wants to move to PSG rather than Chelsea after previously having agreed terms with the French champions.

The Ligue 1 side are seemingly the only European club willing and able to pay his hefty salary, he believes that they have better chances of winning the Champions League and he would link up with his 'mentor' Luis Campos again in Paris.

The problem is that French media is now reporting that PSG have no intention of moving for Osimhen again this summer. Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, has shut down rumours that the Parisians have made a bid for the striker.

Osimhen to Chelsea - or Saudi?

Regarding a move to Chelsea, little in the way of progress has been made despite the Blues remaining in constant dialogue with Napoli. The Blues are interested but don't want to pay his full salary and would prefer a loan.

Osimhen, however, has no intention of taking a pay cut and also does not want to simply go out on loan unless the deal includes a purchase obligation. The closer we get to the end of the window, the more likely a Saudi switch becomes.

Not only is the Saudi window open until September 2 but Jeddah giants Al-Ahli have already agreed a €70 million fee with Napoli. Talks with the player have proved fruitless, though. Osimhen wants a release clause in his contract and his preference at 25 years of age is still European football.

There is also the potential issue of Ivan Toney greenlighting a move to Al-Ahli overnight after being given a deadline by the club. This complicates the matter further. All parties remain committed to finding an amicable solution for Osimhen, but they are facing a race against time.