Chelsea have stepped up their efforts to secure Victor Osimhen’s signature, with the Super Eagles striker also attracting interests from many of Europe’s elite clubs, Soccernet.ng reports.
According to Sportface, Premier League giants Chelsea are looking to finalise the deal early enough to include the Nigerian striker in their squad for the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
Those plans have placed the Blues in the driving seat in the race for the 26-year-old striker, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.
Osimhen has rediscovered his best form in Turkey, scoring 21 goals in the Super Lig and 29 overall across all competitions this season.
Napoli still retain his rights, but with a €75m release clause for clubs outside Italy, the Serie A side are open to cashing in this summer.
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Chelsea are working behind the scenes to reach an agreement before the market gets too crowded.
Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna has reportedly flown to London to meet Chelsea representatives, underlining the seriousness of the negotiations.
Osimhen came close to joining Chelsea last summer, but the deal fell through late in the window, prompting his loan move to Galatasaray.
Now, with the Club World Cup looming, Chelsea are determined not to miss out again. They view Osimhen as a marquee addition who could transform their attacking line.
Juventus have also expressed interest, especially with Dusan Vlahovic’s future uncertain. But Osimhen is unlikely to prioritise a return to Italy with the Premier League his dream destination, ruling the Turin giants out of the running.
Elsewhere, Arsenal and Manchester United have long been admirers, while Saudi club Al Hilal are reportedly ready to offer a mega-money package for both transfer and wages.
However, Osimhen is believed to be reluctant to move to the Middle East at this stage of his career, preferring to remain at the highest level of European football.
Galatasaray, for their part, are exploring creative ways to fund a permanent deal and hope to convince Osimhen to stay in Istanbul, where he has achieved near-cult status among fans. But matching the financial power of Premier League clubs remains a huge challenge.
What Victor Osimhen said about his future
However, speaking after scoring in Galatasaray’s 2-0 win over Samsunspor on Friday night, Osimhen said he is focused solely on the present.
“There are always rumours about me, of course. But I prefer to live in the moment. I am enjoying myself right now. I am enjoying both the club and my life here,” he told Galatasaray’s official website.
“The fans have also been incredibly supportive since the first day, all stakeholders within Galatasaray, everyone has helped me. They have always been there for me, not just me, but also my friends and family.
“Now I will fight for the fifth star with my team, and a decision will be made at the end of the season about what will be best for everyone. Galatasaray will forever be in my heart.”
With Napoli ready for a big summer sale and Osimhen in red-hot form, a major move is on the horizon. Chelsea remain in pole position, hoping to wrap up the deal swiftly and make the Nigerian frontman the face of their Club World Cup challenge.
