Reports indicate that Napoli’s striker, Victor Osimhen, is prepared to make a move to the Premier League this summer, having a specific club in mind.
The prolific Nigeria international garnered significant attention after an impressive season with Napoli, scoring 26 goals in 32 games as they secured the Scudetto.
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Osimhen recently expressed his desire to depart Naples at the season’s end, following negotiations for a new contract featuring a release clause ranging from £102 million to £111 million.
The 25-year-old has captured the attention of long-standing admirers Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has also hinted at potential interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
According to well-connected Belgian journalist Sascha Tavolieri, who closely followed Osimhen during his loan spell with Charleroi in the 2018-19 season, the striker has chosen Chelsea as his next destination.
Osimhen is determined to advance his career in the Premier League and is keen on a move to west London, although any transfer is still in the negotiation phase.
Chelsea, keen to strengthen their frontline, may struggle to meet Osimhen’s full release clause while adhering to financial fair play restrictions under their new ownership, which has favored staggered payments for significant transfers.
Negotiating a fee with Napoli for Osimhen poses a challenge, as the club’s owner, De Laurentiis, is known as one of the toughest negotiators in European football.
Osimhen, who had Chelsea and United shirts as a child, is drawn to the club’s legacy of signing some of Africa’s most talented players.
Osimhen draws inspiration from icons like Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, often being likened to the former.
Recently, at the Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen was seen in conversation with Drogba, sparking hope among Chelsea fans that the club legend might be persuading him to join Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea boasts a history of Nigerian legends, including Celestine Babayaro and John Obi Mikel. In a recent podcast episode, Mikel openly urged Osimhen to consider a move to Chelsea.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel told his compatriot: ‘It’s not the time to go to Saudi. Next season I know you’re going to come to Chelsea. I’m going to be the agent to broker that deal. You’re 100% coming to Chelsea!’
Talking about his appreciation of the West London team, and Drogba, Osimhen himself said: ‘I had two jerseys from my brother when I was a kid – Chelsea and Manchester United.
‘When I was playing grassroots [I was compared to Didier Drogba]. We used to use my brothers phone [to watch Drogba]. I would then go on the pitch and try to [emulate] his game [and learn]. I still watch Drogba’s comps now.’
