CONFIRMED: Victor Osimhen wants to join Chelsea

Cameron Smith

28 Apr 2025 13:15 BST
4 min read

Nigeria legend John Obi Mikel has once again confirmed that Victor Osimhen wants to join Chelsea this summer.

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Osimhen, 26, was on the verge of moving to Stamford Bridge last year, but the deal collapsed at the final hurdle and he was forced to accept a season-long loan move to Galatasaray instead.

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

ETV Range

€62M - €75.8M

However, the Nigeria striker is almost guaranteed to leave Napoli on a permanent deal this summer and Chelsea have been tipped to rekindle their interest in his services amid their pursuit of a new centre forward.

The Blues are also scouting Liam Delap (Ipswich Town), Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) ahead of the summer transfer window as Enzo Maresca looks to sign a player capable of challenging Nicolas Jackson for a starting berth in west London.

Osimhen’s wage demands are reportedly expected to cause an issue for any interested party in the Premier League, with clubs in Saudi Arabia tipped to be the only ones capable of signing the 26-year-old as a result.

However, Chelsea legend Mikel has now confirmed FootballTransfers’ recent exclusive that Osimhen is eager to move to Stamford Bridge.

The former Blues midfielder told beIN Sports: “He [Osimhen] wants to play for Chelsea. I hope [he’ll be playing] somewhere in the Premier League.

“I know where we [Chelsea] stopped in terms of the contract, I know where we are. It’s an easy fix, because we’ve done all the hard work last summer. It’s so easy to just pick it up and then the deal is done.”

Mikel then confirmed that Manchester United and Arsenal will likely be in the frame to sign Osimhen if Chelsea are unable to finalise an agreement with the Nigeria star.

Victor Osimhen to move to the Premier League?

Mikel’s comments come after Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong admitted that Osimhen is likely to move to England this summer.

He told TalkSport: “I know he’s a Chelsea fan, but I also know he’s had talks with all the top teams. It’s up to him what he chooses. He will fit into every team.

“I know Liverpool have spoken about getting a new striker next season. We will see.

“I’m also reading, like everyone else is, that he has a clause this summer. When he went to Galatasaray I think it worked out amazingly for him.

STATS

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

36

Games
31

Goals
7

Assists

“I couldn’t see him playing there for another season, or anywhere else but the Premier League next season.”

Osimhen has scored 31 goals in 36 appearances for Galatasaray since his move to Turkey and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €68.9 million.