Victor Osimhen is now refusing to sign a new contract at Napoli after receiving an offer from Chelsea.
That is according to Il Matino in Italy.
So, what is the latest on Victor Osimhen and Chelsea? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the Nigeria international is a primary target for Chelsea this summer, with 90min even stating that Mauricio Pochettino has made the Napoli talisman his No.1 striker target.
Now – according to Il Matino – Chelsea have received a huge boost in their pursuit of Osimhen.
The Italian news outlet believe the 24-year-old’s current terms expire in 2025 and he would prefer to leave it that way, so Napoli do not gain a stranglehold on his next career move.
Osimhen feels that refusing a new contract will allow him to leave either this summer or in the summer of 2024.
Il Matino state that Roberto Calenda – the Nigerian’s agent – spoke to Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis about the striker’s situation, revealing that Chelsea, as well as PSG, have put offers on the table.
The story also states that Napoli will find it difficult to reject a huge bid, and have already earmarked Boulaye Dia as a potential replacement for the £93,000-a-week Osimhen.
Chelsea seem to be working on Osimhen backup
By the sounds of it, Chelsea haven’t just made an offer for Osimhen.
A story from Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Chelsea have also bid for Juventus No.9 Dusan Vlahovic following a meeting with the Italian giants in London.
It was said that Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trevor Chalobah and Christian Pulisic were included as part of the deal, and Juventus are interested in taking all three.
Now, it seems highly unlikely that Chelsea will spend heavily on two quality strikers this summer, so on the basis of 90min stating that Osimhen is Pochettino’s No.1 option, it could be argued that Vlahovic is being lined up as the backup choice.
Whatever happens, it would be a major surprise if Chelsea failed to sign a new striker this summer, especially with Romelu Lukaku keen on a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge.