Chelsea and it would be ‘pretty easy’ for the Blues to sign the Napoli striker, this is according to John Obi Mikel.
Chelsea’s admiration for Osimhen dates back several years, and it seemed the club was close to finalizing a deal for the Napoli striker last summer.
On transfer deadline day, a Chelsea delegation traveled to Naples aiming to secure the move, but negotiations hit a snag due to the Nigerian forward’s wage demands, ultimately causing the transfer to collapse.
Osimhen, unwilling to accept a pay cut to join Chelsea, instead opted for a season-long loan to Galatasaray, where he has thrived.
The 26-year-old has impressed with a remarkable tally of 26 goals in 30 appearances for the Turkish champions this season.
His outstanding form has fueled even more rumors about a high-profile Premier League move. Reports suggest that Manchester United is prepared to offer £33 million plus Rasmus Hojlund in an attempt to bring him to Old Trafford.
Arsenal has also shown significant interest in Osimhen, but former Chelsea star Obi Mikel, a vocal critic of Nicolas Jackson, is calling on the Blues to reignite their efforts to sign the Nigerian striker. Mikel believes Osimhen possesses the quality to transform Chelsea into genuine title contenders.
‘We almost got the deal done for Osimhen last summer. The club wanted the player and the player wanted to come as well,’ the ex-Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder said on Sky Sports News.
‘I know exactly where we stopped. If we have to pick it up again in the summer, it’s just pretty easy to get it done because the player really wants to come to the football club.
‘If you’re talking about a striker to come in and help Chelsea Football Club, you have to talk about Alexander Isak and you have to talk about Victor Osimhen.
‘For me, these are the top two strikers. If we were able to get one of those guys they would definitely help for next season in terms of being able to compete to win the Premier League.’
While Chelsea’s form has been indifferent over the winter period, Obi Mikel is confident that Enzo Maresca remains the right manager to take the club forward.
‘It’s going well I think. I like Maresca, I’ve said it before,’ he added.
‘I think he’s a great manager, I think he’s a manager that has improved this squad from where we were when he took over.
‘The way the team play now, you can see there is a bit of an identity with the way we want to play, the way the fans want to see the Chelsea team play.’
According to Obi Mikel, Maresca will be judged on whether or not he manages to steer the team to Champions League football this campaign.
‘Finishing in the top four is where everyone is going to judge him this season because we need to finish in the top four,’ the two-time Premier League winner went on.
‘It’s his first season, he needs a bit more time so I think after this season, if we finish in the top, I see the team doing really well and start competing to win the league.’
