Osimhen to Chelsea latest: Rumour branded 'FAKE NEWS'

Cameron Smith

11 Oct 2024 22:30 BST
3 min read

Victor Osimhen, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Chelsea have been handed a major boost in their bid to sign Victor Osimhen on a permanent deal next year.

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The Nigeria international was expected to seal a Stamford Bridge switch this summer, but the move failed to materialise and he eventually joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan.

Osimhen has enjoyed a fantastic start to life in Turkey, scoring two goals and providing three assists in four games, and reports have suggested that Galatasaray would like to make the deal permanent in 2025.

However, TEAMtalk have branded such claims as “fake news,” while there is reportedly a “zero percent chance” that Osimhen will stay at Galatasaray beyond the 2024-25 season.

Chelsea, on the other hand, remain interested in the Napoli forward and recently made contact with his representatives.

Osimhen will be available for €75 million next year due to a release clause in his Napoli deal and Chelsea are eager to complete a deal despite the early-season form of both Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.

© IMAGO - Victor Osimhen is on loan at Galatasaray

Why didn’t Victor Osimhen join Chelsea this summer?

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast in September, ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel revealed the details behind Osimhen’s failed summer move to west London.

“We were very, very close,” Mikel admitted. “We were just moments away from getting this deal done, but there were just slight issues, slight little problems, that meant we just couldn't get over the line.

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

ETV Range

€53.3M - €88.9M

“He [Osimhen] was disappointed it didn't happen. Victor really wanted to come to the club, because he still knows he has a lot to prove in Europe. He wants to come to Chelsea.

“He wants to come in and help the club to get back to where we should be. He knows he can score a lot of goals in the Premier League, and what a better place to do that than his childhood club Chelsea.”

Mikel concluded: “I think if we have to pick this up again, in January or next summer, we know where we are. And it's just little details that need to be finalised and the deal will be done.”