Chelsea RIP UP transfer plans after Osimhen revelation

Tom Weber

Updated: 7 Apr 2025 14:03 CDT
4 min read

Chelsea will not sign an elite, big-money striker like Victor Osimhen this summer, according to a report.

The Blues have struggled to find a reliable centre-forward in recent years and were, unsurprisingly, hot on the track of Osimhen last summer. The Nigerian superstar wanted out of Napoli and was in lengthy negotiations with Chelsea.

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STATS

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

32

Games
28

Goals
5

Assists

However, no move ultimately materialised, with reports suggesting that this was due to the player's unwillingness to fit into Chelsea's incentive-based wage structure.

Osimhen ended up moving to Galatasaray on loan where he has continued to prove that he is one of Europe's deadliest strikers. So far, he has netted 28 times in 32 games while also providing five assists.

The 26-year-old is once again the name on everyone's lips heading into the summer as parent club Napoli are keen to offload him as soon as possible, ideally already as early as June.

Chelsea pull out of Osimhen race

FootballTransfers recently revealed that Osimhen was still open to joining Chelsea despite last summer's disappointing negotiations. However, transfer insider David Ornstein suggests that Premier League clubs will be wary of moving for the Nigerian precisely due to his wage demands.

Indeed, the journalist states that there is a 'consensus' among English clubs that Osimhen will likely end up in Saudi Arabia this summer. As for Chelsea, they have already given up on their pursuit of Osimhen, according to Sky Sports.

It is claimed that Chelsea have completely changed their plans of signing an established No.9 in recent months and are now fully focused on adding a youngster striker who can compete with Nicolas Jackson rather than outright replace him.

Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko and Jonathan David are named as genuine targets for the Blues this summer. Delap has been considered their top target for some time - and they are considered the favourites to sign him - but Man Utd also view him as a priority.

Sesko, meanwhile, was Arsenal's top target for the best part of a year, but new sporting director Andrea Berta wants more of a proven, elite striker, which has opened up a window of opportunity for the Stamford Bridge club.

As for David, he would be the most affordable option as he is out of contract this summer, although he is expected to command a sizeable signing-on fee as well as a handsome wage.