- 8 hours ago
Victor Osimhen to Chelsea: Why Maresca MUST sign Nigeria superstar
Cameron Smith
- 4 Apr 2025 14:00 CDT
- 4 min read
Analysis
Victor Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli on a permanent deal this summer and Chelsea are primed to rekindle their interest in the Nigeria superstar.
Enzo Maresca’s side were on the verge of landing Osimhen in 2024, but the deal fell through at the final hurdle and the Blues were ultimately left empty-handed.
EXCLUSIVE: Victor Osimhen wants Chelsea transfer
Current ETV
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Galatasaray
ETV Range
€62.1M - €75.9M
However, FootballTransfers understands that Osimhen has set his sights on finally joining the Stamford Bridge outfit this year, and Chelsea are expected to intensify their pursuit of the 26-year-old over the next few weeks.
Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with signing Osimhen this summer, although we understand that he currently favours a move to west London.
In addition to the on-loan Galatasaray star, Chelsea are also tracking the progress of Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap and while the England U21 international would be a great signing, the Blues may need to prioritise a deal for Osimhen if they want to challenge for the Premier League title next year.
READ MORE: Victor Osimhen transfer race HEATS UP as first offer received
Why Chelsea must sign Victor Osimhen
Delap has been a fantastic signing for Ipswich so far this season and he looks ready to make an impact for one of the biggest clubs in England.
However, Osimhen is perhaps a slightly safer bet.
Of course, he has never played in the Premier League before, which has been an issue for a number of strikers in recent years, but his pedigree is immense.
Osimhen fired Napoli to the Serie A title in the 2022-23 campaign with 26 goals in 32 league games, while he also terrorised Liverpool in the Champions League during that season.
The Nigerian is a huge threat aerially, he is capable of running the channels extremely well, his movement inside the penalty area is elite and his finishing is excellent. All in all, he’s the perfect striker for an Enzo Maresca system.
STATS
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Galatasaray
Furthermore, Osimhen possesses many of Nicolas Jackson’s best attributes, while he is a far more reliable goalscorer than the Senegal international.
Jackson certainly has a place in the Chelsea squad, but the Blues suffered greatly in his absence due to injury during the early months of 2025 and bolstering their forward line with the addition of Osimhen would ease the pressure currently on the 23-year-old’s shoulders.
Osimhen has 122 goals in 203 games since his move to Lille in 2019 and although his injury record is somewhat concerning, the presence of Jackson should enable Maresca to rotate his centre forward throughout the season, therefore minimising the risk of injury for both.
If Chelsea want to achieve success in three years' time, then Delap may be the better striker to target this summer. However, if they want to challenge for the Premier League title next campaign, signing Osimhen should be a priority.
