Napoli: Victor Osimhen Transfer Finally Picking Up Pace

The Victor Osimhen saga is finally progressing at Napoli. Good news for the Partenopei, who are waiting for Romelu Lukaku.

Every transfer window, the Victor Osimhen situation seems to play out in a similar fashion. A year ago, the Napoli striker was on the radar of several big clubs, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich. However, the Germans eventually decided to bet on Harry Kane. This summer, the former LOSC player still has many suitors. Paris Saint-Germain is among them, even though Luis Enrique is apparently not thrilled with his profile. This doesn’t seem to be the case for Enzo Maresca at Chelsea. For several seasons, the Stamford Bridge outfit have been looking to recruit a number 9. Osimhen’s name has appeared in the British media numerous times over the past year.

Negotiations have resumed and are progressing

But it was thought that he would not be joining this offseason as the Blues had practically completed the signing of Samuel Omorodion. Except that the deal with Atlético Madrid fell through. The English side have therefore turned their attention back to Victor Osimhen. According to Sky Italia, the Premier League club wants to finalise the arrival of a new striker before the end of this transfer window and Enzo Maresca has given the green light to the potential transfer of the Nigerian. The Italian publication has also revealed that the 25-year-old striker is open to the idea of joining Chelsea this summer. However, he has set his conditions. He wants to sign there only on a permanent transfer. He will not accept a loan, as he wants to leave the Partenopei.

After 133 games played, 76 goals scored and a Scudetto won (2023), the footballer, who is under contract until 2026, wants to experience a new adventure. But he will need to be convinced both on and off the pitch. Sky Italia also reports that negotiations over the Napoli player’s salary are ongoing and that the possibility of a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku is not to be ruled out. Yesterday, however, the Italian press reported an offer of €30 million (including bonuses) for the Belgian, for whom Chelsea are hoping for at least €35 million. Napoli, tired of waiting for the Osimhen deal, wanted to close the Big Rom deal. But today, the situation is different.

Drogba and Obi Mikel are pulling strings

In addition to Sky Italia’s reports on the progress of the negotiations, Il Mattino explains that the Italian club’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, is in London to close the deal. He has offered Victor Osimhen and wants to bring back Romelu Lukaku, Cesare Casadei, as well as a nice cheque of between €45 and €50 million. Il Mattino adds that Osimhen is leaning towards PSG, to whom he has given his word. But that’s not the view of The Times. The English media outlet reveals that Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel, two former Chelsea players, are pushing for him to come.

Mikel has said: “I hope Chelsea fans will finally see him come to the club. I’ll make sure I send him texts and calls, making sure that Chelsea is his top priority. But he seems to love the club and wants to come to Chelsea. I’m sure all the big clubs want to sign him. I think if we can get his signature, it would be fantastic for the club. Didier is talking to him too, sharing his ideas and what the club means to us. We all want to see Victor come to the club. If it happens, it happens. It’s a huge transfer fee, but if we can match that fee and bring him to the club, it would be absolutely fantastic.” So the Osimhen saga continues…