Chelsea chiefs ‘schedule Victor Osimhen meeting’ after Napoli star sends transfer demand
...Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna is in the UK to discuss a number of deals.
Victor Osimhen has informed Napoli of his desire to leave (Image: Getty)
Chelsea are reportedly set to meet with Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna on Thursday to discuss a move for Victor Osimhen. Blues transfer chiefs have agreed to push for the Nigerian striker over the final two-and-a-half weeks of the summer transfer window.
Manna is already in the UK to discuss Napoli’s swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion FC midfielder Billy Gilmour. Also on the 36-year-old’s agenda is further talks over Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku.
Napoli boss Antonio Conte is said to be keen on a reunion with the Belgian, having previously brought the best out of him at Inter Milan. And Lukaku’s exit could play straight into Chelsea‘s hands if they are able to bring Osimhen in the opposite direction.
According to Di Marzio, there has been a breakthrough behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge as sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, along with the rest of Chelsea‘s technical staff, have given the ‘green light’ to push for Osimhen.
The 25-year-old is reportedly open to signing, but he has demanded that the move be a permanent one rather than a loan. Osimhen has an £111millionrelease clause included in his Napoli contract.
Chelsea are not only faced with paying an extortionate nine-figure sum for the striker, but also negotiating a salary which could rip up their existing wage structure.
Romelu Lukaku could join Napoli with Victor Osimhen heading in the other direction (Image: Getty)
Paris Saint-Germain have also shown strong interest in Osimhen who, according to Manna, has informed Napoli of his desire to jump ship. “Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club,” he said. “He wants to go. The situation is clear, there were already chances for his exit last summer. Victor wants to leave. We will see.”
Napoli could turn a healthy profit on Osimhen despite forking out more than €80m to sign him from Lille back in 2020 after a 13-goal season in Ligue 1.
The Nigeria international has kicked things up a notch in the years since, famously hitting more than 30 goals across all competitions in 2022/23 as Napoli ended a 33-year drought of Serie A titles.
Osimhen missed Napoli’s Coppa Italia win over Modena on Saturday and trained away from his team-mates earlier this week as the club waits for either PSG or Chelsea to make a decisive move.
Chelsea finished sixth last season with Nicolas Jackson playing up front for the majority of the campaign and Christopher Nkunku rivalling him when fit. Both players could find themselves demoted to the bench if the Blues’ upcoming meeting leads to Osimhen’s arrival.
