Napoli make exciting Osimhen transfer statement Chelsea have been waiting for

Robin Bairner

• 26 Jan 2024 17:52 GMT
• 3 min read

Napoli have confirmed that striker Victor Osimhen will leave the club in the summer, offering three possible destinations for the Nigeria international striker, including Premier League side Chelsea.

Osimhen recently signed a new contract with the Serie A champions, yet this was primarily designed to give the player a short-term wage boost and ensure Napoli retain control over his transfer fee.

His previous deal was up in 2025, which potentially forced the Italian side into a corner ahead of the summer. Now they will be able to demand any buying club to match his release fee, which is thought to be in the region of €130 million.

Now Napoli have confirmed the state of play, with president Aurelio De Laurentiis stating: “This was already known since this summer, our negotiations [over the new contract] were friendly, otherwise it would not have been so long. We knew he would go to Real Madrid, PSG or a top English club.”

Chelsea lead Osimhen race

Chelsea are the club most closely associated with Osimhen in recent times, although Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United hold an interest. Real Madrid and PSG, meanwhile, could come into the picture depending on the future of Kylian Mbappe, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

All these clubs have the financial muscle to complete such a deal, though only Chelsea of the Premier League outfits has the track record of spending so lavishly.

Osimhen himself hinted earlier this week that he will leave in the summer, telling CBS Sports: “I have already made my decision on the next step to do at the end of the season. I already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I want to do, the next step I want to take.”

Some reports have already indicated that Osimhen has agreed to join Chelsea after discussions with former Blues striker Didier Drogba.