Chelsea told what Osimhen ‘really wants’

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 28 Sept 2024 13:54 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have been told the Victor Osimhen “really wanted” a summer transfer and would have been delighted to hook up with the Blues by Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface.

Osimhen was subject to intense interest from several clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG, but no deal could be struck with Napoli.

A deal with the Blues was close on Deadline Day, but after they refused to match the 25-year-old’s wage demands, talks broke down. In the end, Osimhen departed on a shock loan to Galatasaray, where he will play at least the first half of the season.

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

€71.1M

ETV Range

€53.3M - €88.9M

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The Premier League clubs with an interest in the Nigeria hitman, though, have been given an invitation to revisit the deal by Boniface.

Osimhen’s Nigeria international teammate told SportyTV: “It’s three different parties – Napoli, Chelsea and Osimhen. Osimhen’s head is strong, his mentality is really strong.

“I don’t know much but I know he really wanted to come to the Premier League. I know that for sure because we spoke one time. But whatever happened, I don’t know. But I always wish him the best.”

Cut-price Osimhen?

Chelsea are reported to have already started work on rekindling a deal for Osimhen as early as the January transfer window.

The most exciting thing for the Blues is that Napoli are so eager to offload the striker that they could accept a deal worth just €48 million. This would be an incredible price for the Stamford Bridge side given that Osimhen’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €71.1m.

Data analytics firm SciSports, meanwhile, put Chelsea as Osimhen’s fifth-best destination in the Premier League according to its Career Advice too.

The Blues get a Club Fit score of 72, with a lack of development opportunities cited as one of the reasons this is low.

Liverpool are seen as Osimhen’s best option, with the Reds getting a Club Fit score of 79, two clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa. Arsenal are rated fourth.