Victor Osimhen Transfer News Today: Chelsea in the blood as contract talks step up

Robin Bairner

23 May 2025 05:10 CDT
5 min read

Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

All the latest news, rumours and gossip on Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen as major clubs continue to chase the prolific striker.

Man Utd learn ‘likely’ Osimhen destination

A report from France has indicated the likely future destination of Victor Osimhen after the summer.

Although the striker has been linked with a string of clubs in Europe, FootMercato indicates that he will probably move to the Saudi Pro League, where Al-Hilal are closely following his situation.

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Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Galatasaray

ETV Range

€59.9M - €73.2M

Osimhen is still on the table for Manchester United, despite their failure to qualify for the Champions League, but it is claimed the Red Devils are “struggling to establish a concrete position” on the player.

After a drawn-out transfer saga last summer, Osimhen and Napoli are both eager to avoid that again. As such, he wants a deal done quickly, which is Saudi appear to be willing to offer him.

Talks with Al-Hilal are said to be “moving in the right direction”, suggesting that the Saudi club are favourites to land the player.

© IMAGO - Man Utd's lack of urgency could see Osimhen head to Saudi Arabia

Chelsea warned of ‘devastating’ mistake

John Obi Mikel says it would be a “devastating” blow for Chelsea to miss out on Osimhen.

The former Nigeria international is quoted by Fanatik as saying: “The thought of Osimhen wearing another shirt would be absolutely devastating. Considering the ties we have built between myself, the club and Victor, it would be a disastrous mistake to let him go.

“Look at the way he plays, that hunger, that fire... He plays every week with goals and assists. That's exactly what we need right now!”

I've said it before, this boy has blue in his blood. His heart is at Stamford Bridge

- John Obi Mikel

He added that having a Chelsea fan leading the line could only be an asset.

“Osimhen is not just a transfer target. Victor grew up supporting our team. Didier Drogba was his idol. I've said it before, this boy has blue in his blood. His heart is at Stamford Bridge,” he added.

Juventus rejected

Osimhen will not move to Juventus this summer, according to Il Mattino, which says that the Serie A side cannot fulfil the player’s economic or professional desires.

He wants a club that is capable of operating at the highest level, and with Juve not even certain of playing in the Champions League next season, he harbours doubts over moving to Turin.

Financially, the Italian source points to the possibility of moving to the Saudi Pro League, where he could receive a “golden salary”.

Although Al-Hilal are not specifically mentioned in this report, it does state that there is “no shortage” of teams from Saudi willing to sign the 26-year-old.

Calciomercato says that Juve have switched their interest to Viktor Gyokeres over Osimhen because of the “big difference” in their wage demands.

While Osimhen wants €10m per year, the Sweden international only wants €2.4m.

Napoli transfer unlocked

It’s not only Osimhen who wants this saga resolved swiftly: Napoli are also eager for the deal to be done to allow them to plan for next season.

The Serie A leaders are particularly eager to sign Ademola Lookman from Atalanta in a deal that will be “unlocked” should Osimhen finally complete his move away.

Il Mattino (via SpazioNapoli) reports that one Nigerian could be replaced with another, particularly as Antonio Conte is a big fan of the Atalanta forward, who has scored 20 goals in Serie A and the Champions League this season.

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