Transfers
UP BLUES: Osimhen Sets For Chelsea Medical After Napoli Agreement
Victor Osimhen appears to have finally found a new home. The Napoli striker was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea last summer, but a deal collapsed at the eleventh hour.
football.london understands that the Blues submitted a bid for Osimhen in the final days of the transfer window. It’s believed that the west Londoners wanted to sign the Nigerian international on a season-long loan, which included an obligation-to-buy clause.
Despite Chelsea’s best efforts, they couldn’t reach an agreement with the Italian giants before the deadline. So, having already been dumped from the first team by Antonio Conte, Osimhen snubbed an ‘extortionate’ offer from the Saudi Pro League and joined Galatasaray on loan.
The 26-year-old, who’s recently entered the final year of his contract in Naples, featured 30 times in the Süper Lig last season, scoring 26 goals and providing five assists. Playing a key role in Okan Buruk’s squad, Osimhen fired the Lions to a third successive title.
He also helped Galatasaray win the domestic double, netting a brace against Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final. Having become somewhat of a cult hero in Istanbul, he looks set to return to the RAMS Park.
So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything you need to know about Osimhen and a potential transfer to Chelsea.
Galatasaray agree Napoli deal
According to Nigerian journalist Buchi Laba, Galatasaray have agreed a deal to sign Osimhen from Napoli for €75m (£65m). The report claims that the Italian champions have a 10 per cent sell-on clause inserted into the striker’s contract.
It’s said that Osimhen battled hard to rejoin the Turkish giants, urging Napoli to accept their fifth offer. Now, the former Chelsea target must undergo a medical before the final details of the deal can be ironed out.
Laba adds that Osimhen rejected offers from ‘two top European clubs’ and a proposal from the Saudi Pro League in favour of a return to Galatasaray. The Nigerian will be keen to make his second debut for the Lions when they face Cagliari in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening.
Osimhen urged to join Al-Hilal
Speaking to News Central TV, as quoted by Complete Sports, Odion Ighalo claimed that Osimhen should consider joining Al Hilal. The former Manchester United striker said: “He knows what he wants.
“He is a grown-up guy now and has worked hard to be where he is now. I think he has done well. Whatever decision he makes now, it is a win for him. If he asks me, of course, I will say go.”
Assuring Osimhen that he’ll always have an offer from Saudi on the table, Ighalo added: “Whatever decision [he makes], it is a win for him. If he goes now or after two years, it is still the same. It doesn’t matter because last year they came and he didn’t go. They came back this year, and they will still come again.”
According to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, in June, United considered offering Napoli a player-plus-cash deal involving Joshua Zirkzee for Osimhen. The report claims that the Nigerian was aware of interest from Old Trafford, but a move never materialised.
It’s said that United were ‘reluctant’ to pay the €75m (£65m) release clause in his contract, so they ‘studied’ how to finance a bid. La Gazzetta dello Sport added that Osimhen rejected an offer from Al-Hilal at the time.
Galatasaray boss shuts down Osimhen rumours
Towards the end of May, the Galatasaray boss provided an update on Osimhen’s future. In an interview with ‘I Just Spoke’, as quoted by Turkish outlet NTV Sport, Buruk shut down rumours linking the striker with a move to Saudi Arabia.
“Osimhen will look at the conditions,” he said. “He’s very happy here at Galatasaray. He’s living the best days of his life. The player will decide about his future, as he’s made an incredible contribution here. We need to respect him, but we are hopeful that he will stay with us.”
Buruk added: “He’s a professional player. There are talks about it, but Osimhen will make the choice. He will look at the conditions. The part about Osimhen agreeing with the [Saudi] Arabian side is not true.”
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