Chelsea joins Arsenal and Saudis as Osimhen suitors despite pending contract renewal with Napoli
Announcement to the public of intentions to renew marriage vow by a married couple should ordinarily deter intending suitors from lurking in the corners with intentions to snatch the bride.
But the opposite has been the case with Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen. Though, on the verge of signing a new long-term contract with the Italian champions, it has not stopped the big boys of European football from flittering with the Super Eagles star.
The biggest clubs in the highly lucrative Saudi Arabia football league are a threat to Osimhen's marriage with Napoli.
Last week, London's biggest club at the moment Arsenal announced that they intend to approach Napoli for Osimhen's signature in the summer of 2024.
On Thursday it was reported that Chelsea, the West London with too much money, are also set to renew their interest in Osimhen in the January transfer window.
That is according to well-respected journalist Simon Phillips.
Speaking on his podcast via his Substack, Phillips claims that Chelsea do have their eyes on Osimhen’s contract situation at Napoli.
It is understood that the 24-year-old is one of several top strikers that the Blues are considering a move to sign in January.
He said: “ Osimhen's dream is still alive even though I don’t see it happening, but Chelsea are watching his contract situation. He’s not signed it yet, but he looks like he’s on the verge of signing it.”
The Daily Mail claimed back in June that Osimhen was a £150million-rated striker.
He’s started this season with three goals in his opening three Serie A appearances. This comes after 31 goals across all competitions last season for Italian giants Napoli.
It would have been better if Chelsea to spend big on Osimhen this summer rather than spread the funds around on numerous signings, so it’s no surprise he’s considered a ‘dream’ option.
Instead, the Blues need to at least get behind both Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja to give them a fair shot of being the club’s next big striker.
Saudi Arabia clubs will try again to lure the 24-year-old Nigerian to the Middle East, but Napoli’s owner, Aurelio de Laurentiis, scoffed at a € 200 million bid, claiming it would buy just one foot of the club’s star striker.
Newspaper reports claim Chelsea tabled £ 120 million, which is not far off valuations by Transfermarkt, Football Benchmark,
and CIES Football Observatory. While Napoli will work hard to try and keep him, Osimhen may be the big target in the summer window in 2024.
