Highly coveted Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen appears to have made his choice regarding his next destination, and it’s Chelsea who have won the race for his signature, according to TEAMtalk.
Despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs, Osimhen is reportedly set to shun them all in favor of a move to Stamford Bridge.
TEAMtalk reports that the 25-year-old is fully focused on joining Chelsea, even after the departure of Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s manager.
The Blues are said to be well ahead of their competitors in the pursuit of the Napoli forward, whose release clause stands at a staggering €130 million (£111 million).
Osimhen, whose desire to play in the Premier League next season is well-documented, has already given his informal approval for a potential move to Chelsea, according to TEAMtalk’s sources.
These sources suggest that only a few aspects of his prospective seven-year contract with the West London club need to be discussed, with an agreement on personal terms not far away.
Chelsea’s willingness to pay Osimhen slightly more than his current wages at Napoli has reportedly played a significant role in his decision to favor them over other suitors. After months of contacts between the player and the Blues, Osimhen’s determination to become a key player for the Stamford Bridge outfit is clear.
While an agreement between the clubs is still some way off, with Napoli adamant about receiving the full release clause in cash, Chelsea are exploring various avenues to make the deal happen, including the possibility of including talented young players in the deal to lower the overall cost.
Regardless of the managerial uncertainty at Chelsea, Osimhen appears to have made his mind up, shunning the advances of PSG and the financial lure of Saudi Arabian clubs to take on a new challenge in the Premier League with the Blues.
The 24-year old has had a quiter 2023/24 season compared to last season, scoring 15 goals in 24 league matches for Napoli. Last season, he helped the Naples-based team win the Italian Serie A title for the first time in 30 years and also clinched the league’s top scorer award with 26 goals in 32 league games and another five goals in six Champions League games.