Chelsea remain firmly in the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer, with growing confidence that the Nigerian international might be willing to lower his wage demands to make the move to Stamford Bridge a reality.
Chelsea’s Interest and Strategy
The Blues have admired Osimhen for a long time and consider him the perfect fit to spearhead their attack.
While his €120 million release clause is a significant obstacle, the more pressing concern for Chelsea lies in his current wage demands, which exceed their existing salary structure.
However, they are hopeful this can be addressed during negotiations.
Osimhen’s Perspective
According to sources close to the player, Osimhen is enthusiastic about a potential move to the Premier League and is not completely rigid on his financial expectations.
If the project is compelling, he’s open to compromises.
The 25-year-old striker wants to test himself at the highest level, and a move to England aligns with his ambitions.
He views the Premier League as the natural next step in his career progression.
Chelsea’s Optimism
With Enzo Maresca preparing to take over managerial duties and a youthful squad already in place, Chelsea are presenting Osimhen with a long-term vision in which he could be the “missing piece” to their attacking puzzle.
The club believes that if they can match Napoli’s financial demands, reaching a personal agreement with the striker should be feasible.
They see Osimhen not just as a star signing, but as a central figure in their future project.
Napoli’s Position
Napoli, for their part, are standing firm on their valuation and will insist that Osimhen’s €120 million release clause is met in full.
Despite this, the Serie A club may find themselves in a weakened negotiating position.
With no Champions League football next season and the player’s desire to move already public, Napoli may eventually be compelled to open discussions with interested parties.
Broader Transfer Landscape
Chelsea are currently weighing several striker options.
Alongside Osimhen, they are also monitoring RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, who offers raw talent and long-term upside, and Hugo Ekitike, who has impressed recently in the Bundesliga and represents a more affordable alternative.
Still, Osimhen stands out due to his proven quality and immediate readiness for Premier League football.
Financial Maneuvering
To facilitate the potential deal, Chelsea are expected to offload some players, including Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja.
Selling both would help the club generate funds and reduce their wage bill, making it financially viable to bring in a high-profile forward like Osimhen.
