OSIMHEN SHOCKER: Chelsea Walks Away, Napoli's £100m Dream Turns to Dust
KAYCEE BETHEL EJIMCuota
- 2021 UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea, have reportedly turned their attention away from signing Super Eagles and Napoli marksman Victor Osimhen.
- The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner registered fifteen goals and three assists in twenty-five Serie A appearances last term, despite several injury layoffs.
English Premier League giants Chelsea, have pulled out of the race to sign Napoli's star striker Victor Osimhen, leaving the Italian club reeling. According to a report from Sky Italia, the London giants were long-time admirers of the Nigerian international, but their interest has waned with the impending arrival of Samu Omorodion from Atlético de Madrid.
This sudden withdrawal has sent shockwaves through the Napoli camp, where Osimhen's departure was considered a done deal. The club's management is now facing a dilemma, as they had banked on Osimhen's sale to fund their own transfer ambitions, including the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
With the West London outfit out of the picture, Napoli is left with few options. Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Saudi Arabian clubs are still interested in Osimhen, but their bids are not as concrete as Chelsea's. The Nigerian striker's release clause of 130 million euros has already deterred several suitors, and Napoli's hopes of cashing in on their prized asset are fading fast.
The club's management is under pressure to offload the striker, who earns a whopping 10 million euros per season, but their options are dwindling. The 25-year-old's sweepstakes has left Napoli reeling, as the Blues turn their attention to securing the signature of Samu Omorodion from Atlético de Madrid. In a reverse coup, Chelsea is also set to offload Conor Gallagher, who will join the Spanish giants.
The Reigning African Footballer of the year made the switch to Naples in the summer of 2020 from French side LOSC Lile for fee of €70 million (rising to €80 million with add-ons), becoming the most expensive African transfer till this day.
