Chelsea has surprisingly cooled their interest in Napoli's striker Victor Osimhen, despite the Nigerian's impressive scoring record. The 25-year-old has been on Chelsea's radar for over a year, but the club's focus on building a young squad has taken precedence as gathered by Nigeriasoccernet.com.
This decision has raised eyebrows, considering Osimhen's proven goalscoring ability (15 Serie A goals last season) and the presence of 26-year-old Christopher Nkunku in Chelsea's attack.
An anonymous club source questioned the logic, highlighting Osimhen's potential impact despite injury setbacks.
With Nicolas Jackson, their 22-year-old leading striker, Chelsea seems to be prioritizing nurturing young talent. Their ideal scenario is a striker with experience who can complement Jackson's development while accepting a potentially reduced role.
This strategy leaves Osimhen, who attracted interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, and PSG, out of the picture for now.
While Saudi clubs are circling with offers, Victor Osimhen has his sights set on the Premier League. However, a major hurdle stands in the way: Napoli's hefty €120 million release clause.
Also, Napoli might be willing to negotiate a deal, but none of the interested teams seem keen on meeting the full asking price in one go, especially considering Osimhen's injury history. This creates a standoff between Osimhen's desire and the financial realities for both Napoli and the potential buying clubs.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola