Chelsea has reestablished contact with Victor Osimhen’s representatives as they aim to secure the striker’s signature. However, they will face competition from Juventus, according to TEAMtalk.
Osimhen’s future was a hot topic during the summer transfer window, with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Saudi club Al-Ahli all interested. PSG eventually stepped back, putting Al-Ahli in a strong position, but they signed Ivan Toney from Brentford instead. Chelsea made a last-minute effort to acquire Osimhen, who had a strained relationship with Napoli, but no agreement was reached.
After failed moves to Al-Ahli and Chelsea, Galatasaray managed to secure Osimhen on loan. Prior to this, he renegotiated his contract with Napoli, lowering his release clause from £108.3 million (€130 million / $144.6 million) to £62.5 million (€75 million / $83.4 million), alerting clubs across Europe.
Sources indicate that Chelsea has engaged in new discussions with Osimhen’s camp regarding a potential transfer to London in 2025, with the Nigerian striker still being their top target.
Chelsea is also considering a January move for Osimhen, as his new exit clause could facilitate a deal. The only obstacle during the summer was a lack of agreement between Chelsea and Napoli regarding the transfer’s structure.
Despite strong performances from current striker Nicolas Jackson, who scored twice and provided an assist against West Ham, Chelsea remains keen on signing a top-tier forward like Osimhen, with a significant move in 2025 appearing likely.
Juventus has also entered the fray for Osimhen. The club’s leadership and coach Thiago Motta are dissatisfied with striker Dusan Vlahovic’s contributions, especially after he was substituted at halftime in a recent match against Napoli. Osimhen’s ability to influence games makes him an attractive option for Juventus.
It’s worth noting that Osimhen’s reduced release clause does not apply to Italian clubs, prompting Juventus to investigate the cost of acquiring him.
Napoli would be open to selling Osimhen to Juventus if a reasonable offer is made, as they seek to resolve this transfer saga quickly. Meanwhile, Osimhen’s agent is actively pursuing new opportunities for him, with interest from Spain and Saudi Arabia, in addition to Juventus and Chelsea.
Arsenal is also rumored to be interested in Osimhen, but reports suggest that Mikel Arteta will prioritize other transfer targets in 2025.
If Chelsea fails to sign Osimhen, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres could become their main target. Both Osimhen and Gyokeres are considered reliable goal-scorers.
In other news, Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has shown significant improvement under coach Enzo Maresca, earning praise from former player John Obi Mikel, who called him an “absolutely fantastic player” and a potential future captain.
Osimhen’s accolades include winning the Serie A title and being named the top scorer and player of the year in 2023.
