Victor Osimhen to Chelsea? The latest state of play revealed

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 2 Aug 2024 07:00 CDT
  • 3 min read
Victor Osimhen, Chelsea, Napoli, 2023/24
© IMAGO

Chelsea remain interested in signing Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, although the Blues will reportedly find it difficult to sign the Nigeria international this summer.

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Osimhen, 25, has been Chelsea’s primary striker target for over a year and Enzo Maresca’s side are still pursuing a deal amid their failure to sign Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion.

Blues outcast Romelu Lukaku could head in the opposite direction as he eyes up a reunion with Antonio Conte, however Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign the Belgium international, as per reports in Italy.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

This could complicate matters regarding Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen - a deal that already looks immensely difficult.

The Nigerian notched 15 goals in 25 Serie A appearances last season and while he is reportedly open to a Stamford Bridge switch, Napoli’s current asking price is an issue, as is competition from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and the Saudi Pro League.

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What has been said?

Although Chelsea remain interested in Osimhen, a deal is currently very complicated, according to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth.

He told GiveMeSport: “It's unclear whether Chelsea would be able to afford what Napoli would want. We know that his release clause is over £100 million.

Victor Osimhen, Napoli
© IMAGO - Victor Osimhen, Napoli

“So the next best thing is to try and negotiate a loan with an obligation to buy, because Napoli will want a guarantee that at some point, Victor Osimhen's move to Chelsea, if it is to be to Chelsea, has got a permanent element to it. So that's where we are at the moment.

“There is so much work to do on this deal. I've been told it is such a complicated deal to do, but the fact that the two clubs are still in negotiation over it would imply that there is a deal to be done.

“Whether they can do that deal is a completely different matter.”

Osimhen has two years left on his current contract at Napoli, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €71.1m.

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