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Transfer deadline: Chelsea makes official move for Osimhen
As the transfer deadline nears, Chelsea has finally made an official move for Victor Osimhen. Find out the latest developments in this high-profile transfer.
According to transfer specialist Gianluca Di Marzio’s reports, Chelsea has made a formal offer for Napoli forward Victor Osimhen after months of conjecture.
Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has received a bid from the Blues and formal talks with Napoli are scheduled to commence on Wednesday.
As the August 31 deadline approaches, transfer talks have intensified around Osimhen. The player has expressed his desire to leave Napoli.
With the window drawing to a close, Chelsea’s focus is set on securing a top-tier striker and they have directed their entire attention towards the Nigerian international. The player has been an exceptional performer in Serie A.
Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea is about to finalize his transfer to Napoli. The Belgian forward had fallen out of favor at Chelsea and travelled to Naples on Wednesday for a medical check-up before signing the contract with the former Serie A champions.
Al-Ahli, a club from the Saudi Pro League, expressed interest in Osimhen and even presented him with an attractive financial proposal through his agent Calenda. Nonetheless, despite this tempting offer, the 25-year-old forward has stated that he currently has no intentions of departing Europe while pursuing his career.
His desire to continue competing in European football at the highest level is emphasized by this stance.
Read Also: Chelsea Intensifies Direct Talks with Osimhen; Al Ahli on Standby
If their attempt to acquire Osimhen fails, Chelsea has recognized Ivan Toney from Brentford as a secondary choice.
Despite other options, the Napoli star remains their main target due to his impressive form since transferring from Lille in 2020. He has scored a remarkable total of 76 goals in just 133 appearances for the Italian club.
The title of African Footballer of the Year was bestowed upon him due to his outstanding performance, and he secured a commendable eighth place in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Even though Saudi Arabia has expressed interest, with Al-Ahli reportedly offering €70 million, Osimhen is determined to remain in Europe. His contract with Napoli will expire by June 2026 and involves a release clause worth €130 million.
Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain presents a challenge for Chelsea as they had already secured a tentative agreement with Osimhen earlier in the season.
Osimhen remains apart from the Napoli team, training solo as his transfer saga nears its end and he awaits a final outcome for his future.
As the transfer window draws to a close in just a matter of days, attention turns towards Chelsea and Napoli as they strive to reach an agreement for one of Europe’s most highly sought-after strikers.