Chelsea has officially made an offer for Victor Osimhen, the prolific Napoli striker, after months of speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League. As the transfer expert, Gianluca Di Marzio reported, this development marks an important step in Chelsea’s pursuit of the Nigerian international.
According to Di Marzio, Chelsea has presented a formal bid to Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, and talks with Napoli are expected to begin soon. The club is keen to secure the signature of Osimhen before the transfer window closes on August 31.
Osimhen has expressed his desire to leave Napoli, making it clear that he is open to a move. The question now is whether Chelsea and Napoli can agree on the terms of the transfer. Chelsea faces a race against time, with the deadline fast approaching. But they are determined to bolster their attacking options.
In a related development, Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of completing a move to Napoli. The Belgian striker traveled to Naples for his medical and is expected to sign the contract papers soon. This move could potentially pave the way for the departure of Osimhen..
Meanwhile, Osimhen has also attracted interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, who made a lucrative offer for the striker.
However, Calenda, Osimhen’s agent, confirmed that the player has no intention of leaving Europe at this stage of his career. Calenda dismissed the rumors of a move to Saudi Arabia, stating, “Victor is focused on continuing his career in Europe.”
Chelsea is desperate to sign a top-quality striker before the transfer window closes. They have identified Brentford’s Ivan Toney as a potential alternative if the Osimhen deal falls through. However, their primary focus remains on securing the Napoli star.
Osimhen has been a standout performer for Napoli since joining the club from Lille in 2020. Over the past three seasons, he has scored an impressive 76 goals in 133 appearances. This earns him the title of African Footballer of the Year and an eighth-place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
His current contract with Napoli, which includes a €130 million release clause, runs until June 2026.
Despite interest from other top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Osimhen has continued to train separately from the Napoli squad as the transfer saga unfolds. PSG had reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with the striker earlier this summer. This adds another layer of competition for his signature.
As the transfer window draws to a close, all eyes will be on Chelsea, Napoli, and Osimhen to see if a deal can be reached. The next few days will be crucial in determining the future of one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers.