![](https://i0.wp.com/ibomdailymail.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot_20231026-224150.png?fit=718%2C404&ssl=1)
Victor Osimhen is one of the most coveted strikers in the world at the moment, but Chelsea may have encountered a major obstacle if they want to sign him in January or the summer
Chelsea may have been dealt a major blow to their hopes of signing Victor Osimhen, with Napoli determined to hold onto their star man. The 24-year-old striker continues to be heavily linked with a move to the Premier League following his impressive performances in the Serie A.
Osimhen, who sees his contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium expire in 2025, has featured eight times for Rudi Garcia’s side in the Italian top-flight so far this season, scoring six goals. The Nigeria international’s eye-catching displays have reportedly courted the interest of some top clubs around Europe, including the Blues, but it could be difficult to prise him away from Naples.
According to Italian publication Calciomercato, Osimhen and the Italian giants are currently in talks over a contract extension, but the Nigerian is hoping to see his salary doubled from €4.5million (£3.9million) per annum to €9million (£7.8million). The report states that this shouldn’t be an issue, but there has been dispute over a potential release clause.
According to Italian publication Calciomercato, Osimhen and the Italian giants are currently in talks over a contract extension, but the Nigerian is hoping to see his salary doubled from €4.5million (£3.9million) per annum to €9million (£7.8million). The report states that this shouldn’t be an issue, but there has been dispute over a potential release clause.
It’s said that Napoli want to insert a release clause at ‘more than €200million (£173.9million)’ which would be quite the obstacle for even Chelsea, who have smashed transfer records for fun since Todd Boehly took over last year. Calciomercato add that Liverpool have made ‘several direct contacts’ with the Italian side regarding a potential move for Osimhen, meanwhile the Blues showed interest in the summer.
football.london understands that Chelsea were eager to sign the Nigerian, but Napoli were determined to hold onto their talisman so Mauricio Pochettino turned his attention to Nicolas Jackson instead. It’s believed that the west Londoners viewed him as somebody who could have transformed the club’s misfortunes in front of goal, but, without Champions League qualification, any bid to sign him proved difficult.
Outside the boardroom, tensions have been high at Napoli. Osimhen has faced an uncertain future recently after the club post posted a controversial video which appeared to mock him.
Despite reports linking the striker with an exit, Garcia brushed off the speculation and insisted that ‘everyone is happy’. After Napoli’s game against Udinese at the end of last month, the Spaniard said: “I have had a very good rapport with Victor since the moment I arrived.
“I am happy because he scored a goal and centre-forwards always want to score goals. In Bologna we were all frustrated at not winning and he was even more after missing a penalty, so that can happen. We cleared the air, it all went back to normal.”
Then, after Napoli’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis doubled down and claimed Osimhen’s future is ‘not up for discussion’. Speaking to Spanish publication El Chiringuito, as quoted by Goal, he said: “Victor is a player who makes a team on his own, it’s not up for discussion. There is no problem with the renewal, everyone in Napoli is happy.”