Chelsea are still interested in acquiring Napoli striker Victor Osimhen but are only willing to pursue a loan arrangement, according to reports.
Napoli had initially agreed to let Osimhen go at the start of the summer transfer window, but the club’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, was holding out for a team to pay the striker’s €130m (£110.8m) release clause.
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This substantial figure has deterred both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, who have shown interest in Osimhen.
Chelsea seemed poised to secure a new striker after reaching a €40m (£34.5m) deal with Atletico Madrid for Samu Omorodion. However, the deal for the 20-year-old fell through over the weekend due to disagreements over personal terms.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea is monitoring up to four different striker options, including Osimhen.
The report indicates that Chelsea is keen on the Nigeria international but only if Napoli agrees to an initial loan arrangement.
This could lead to complications as Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has already dismissed rumors of a discounted move for the striker.
‘I’ve read about unfounded imaginary trades involving Victor, shipped around like a package ready for delivery,’ Calenda wrote on X last month.
‘But remember that this “package” is the top scorer of the third Scudetto in Naples’ history. Respect and no more fake news!’
Meanwhile, Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, confirmed over the weekend that Osimhen is intent on leaving the club before the transfer window closes.
Ahead of Napoli’s Coppa Italia win against Modena on Saturday, Manna said: ‘Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go.
‘The situation is clear, there were already chances for his exit last summer. Victor wants to leave. We will see in the next 20 days.’
Manna traveled to London on Tuesday to finalize a deal with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku and to discuss terms with Brighton for Billy Gilmour.
