EVERYTHING changes for Chelsea and Man Utd as Ornstein drops Osimhen update

Tom Weber

Updated: 6 Apr 2025 09:52 CDT
4 min read

Enzo Maresca, Victor Osimhen, Ruben Amorim — © IMAGO

Victor Osimhen's most likely destination this summer is Saudi Arabia, according to David Ornstein.

The Nigerian superstar is one of the most sought-after striker commodities in European football. Osimhen is putting up impressive numbers on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 28 goals in 32 appearances while also providing five assists.

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His future has been hotly debated all season as parent club Napoli are desperate to get him off the books this summer after failing to do so last year. Indeed, Fabrizio Romano reports that Napoli are determined to avoid a repeat of the previous summer.

The Serie A club are aiming to sell Osimhen as soon as possible, ideally already in June. He certainly has no shortage of suitors and dreams of a move to the Premier League.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed earlier this week that Osimhen is open to a move to Chelsea, while Man Utd are considered the favourites to sign him in some quarters.

Osimhen on his way to Saudi Arabia?

However, David Ornstein of The Athletic is not so sure that Osimhen will ultimately end up in the Premier League. Responding to a question in a Q&A session, he raised eyebrows with his response.

"There seems to be a consensus among Premier League clubs that Victor Osimhen’s most likely destination is Saudi Arabia," Ornstein wrote. "Part of that will be down to the affordability of his wages. But let’s see."

Indeed, it seems that something will have to give this summer. Osimhen was unwilling to lower his sizeable wage demands last summer, which doomed a transfer to Chelsea.

The aforementioned Romano has repeatedly reported that Osimhen's stance on the matter has not changed. He will not take a pay cut just so that he can move to the Premier League.

If English clubs can't afford him, he will have no issue with moving to Saudi Arabia. However, if he really wants to keep playing at the highest level, then he must surely consider at least making some concessions.