Victor Osimhen, one of Europe’s most coveted strikers, recently revealed the circumstances that led to his failed transfer to Chelsea, shedding light on what went wrong during negotiations.
The Nigerian striker, who has been linked to several top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, seemed poised to join Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
However, in a candid interview with Fabrizio Romano, Osimhen explained the shocking reasons that caused the deal to fall through at the last minute.
According to the Napoli star, he was fully prepared to move to Chelsea, with his mentors and former Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel guiding him throughout the process.
Osimhen shared, “I was 100% ready to join Chelsea. You can confirm this with my big brothers Didier Drogba and Mikel Obi. They were guiding me through the process.”
However, just as things seemed to be going smoothly, negotiations took an unexpected turn.
Osimhen described how the tone from Chelsea changed in the final stages, stating, “They stopped talking to me as a footballer and started treating me as just another black man desperate for a move. I found that very disrespectful.”
Osimhen had just come off an incredible season with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in helping the team secure their first Serie A title in over 30 years.
Chelsea, in desperate need of a reliable striker following Romelu Lukaku’s departure to Inter Milan, saw Osimhen as a key solution to their attacking problems.
It was widely reported that both the player and the club had agreed on terms, and the deal seemed almost finalized.
However, Osimhen revealed that Chelsea made a sudden and drastic change to the terms of the contract, particularly his salary.
“The salary we initially agreed on was cut by almost 45%. I couldn’t believe it,” Osimhen stated.
He went on to explain that while he had his heart set on joining Chelsea, this last-minute change in the club’s stance made him reconsider the move entirely.
“I felt like they no longer saw me as a top striker but as someone they could exploit because I was eager for the move. That’s when I decided to walk away,” he added.
This revelation comes as a blow to Chelsea, especially given their struggles in the transfer market and the need for a reliable striker.
Osimhen, with his goal-scoring ability, speed, and physical presence, seemed like the perfect fit for Chelsea’s system under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Many fans and football analysts believed that securing Osimhen would have solved Chelsea’s striker dilemma, particularly after losing Lukaku.
Chelsea legends like Didier Drogba were actively involved in trying to bring Osimhen to Stamford Bridge, with Drogba reportedly playing a key role in facilitating the discussions.
In addition to his talks with Chelsea, Osimhen also hinted at Drogba’s influence on a potential move to Galatasaray. “Even my move to Galatasaray, it’s Drogba’s doing.
He has been like a mentor to me. He believes in me and my abilities, and I trust his advice,” Osimhen said, showing that Drogba’s guidance continues to shape his career decisions.
This relationship with Drogba could still influence his future club choices, with potential moves to other top European sides or even Saudi Arabian clubs on the horizon.
For Chelsea fans, this missed opportunity will likely be seen as a major blunder.
The club, despite its financial power, allowed a top-class striker to slip through their fingers, raising questions about their handling of transfer negotiations.
Chelsea has spent heavily in recent transfer windows but has struggled to land key targets, especially in the striker position.
This latest mishap with Osimhen may force the club to reassess its strategies and internal operations.
Osimhen remains a hot property in European football, and while Chelsea missed their chance, other top clubs are still in the running to sign him.
Whether he dominates in another European league or takes a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League, Osimhen’s future looks incredibly promising.
Meanwhile, Chelsea may rue this lost opportunity, especially if their search for a dependable striker continues to falter.
