BREAKING NEWS: Chelsea Manager Mauricio Pochettino has instructed Todd Boehly to Sell Chelsea FLOP Midfielder in January to Rise Funds to buy £120 highly rated Striker.
Victor Osimhen’s services continue to be monitored by some of Europe’s top clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
The striker remained at Napoli beyond the summer transfer window after weeks of speculation and has continued his fine form in front of goal. He has scored six goals in eight Serie A appearances already.
However, a series of events in Italy have meant a move in the winter or next summer looks incredibly likely. Chelsea remain in the market for a new number nine, despite signing Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, as are Liverpool.
So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest news regarding Osimhen and his future…
Napoli unchanged
Napoli haven’t changed their stance on Victor Osimhen ahead of the January transfer window.
They don’t want to sell Victor Osimhen in January, so not even a crazy bid, at the moment, is something that they would consider.”
Outrageous price tag
Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has reportedly set a whopping €500million (£434m) price tag for Osimhen.
That’s according to L’Equipe, who claim Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal want to offer Napoli over £150m for the striker. However, De Laurentiis reportedly said the following in an email: “Your bid can only buy one of Osimhen’s foot. For next year, I expect you’ll be able to table €500m and maybe we’ll entertain your offer, but I say again, ‘maybe’”.
Osimhen stance
Osimhen has played down suggestions he wants to leave Napoli after his relationship with the club has become frayed. The Nigerian is said to have ‘considered taking legal action’ against the Italians champions after a video was published last month making fun of the Nigerian after a penalty miss against Bologna.
However, he remained coy on a potential exit. “I am happy at Napoli,” Osimhen explained in an interview on Twitch with former Italy internationals Emiliano Viviano and Mario Balotelli. “People don’t know how difficult it is to play in Serie A. From a tactical and physical point of view, it’s one of the most difficult leagues to play in.”
Toney back-up
Chelsea have registered an interest in Brentford striker Ivan Toney. The England international hasn’t played football this season after a ban for betting, but is expected to see his services highly contested in January – with Arsenal linked.
Saudi bid
According to Sky Sports, Al Hilal have tabled a bid worth €140million (£120m) for Osimhen. The Saudi outfit have already signed Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Malcom and Matheus Pereira this summer, totalling nearly as much as their offer for the Napoli striker alone.
Contract dispute
Chelsea and Manchester United will be handed a major boost to their hopes of signing Victor Osimhen if Napoli sanction the striker’s latest demand. According to Sky Sports Italy, the Nigerian has asked for a £103.8million release clause to be inserted into a potential contract extension.
The report states that Napoli are conscious of selling him on the cheap next summer, so talks over a new contract have been progressing between the two parties in recent weeks. Sky Italy add that an agreement is yet to be reached, with the Italian side keen to set the clause at an eye-watering £173million.
Spalletti hint
Speaking to DAZN, as quoted by Football Italia, Spalletti claimed that Osimhen will have a bright future regardless of what team he plays for. The Napoli boss said: “When players start working in a certain way, you identify their characteristics and find paths to give them service.
Osimhen is good in open spaces, in the air, with the ball passed to his feet. He will have an important future, no matter what team he plays in, and is above all a good lad too.
“His teammates love him, he helps them out and resolves situations rather than complains. He will become even more of a top player in future.”
Chelsea scouts keeping tabs
According to Il Mattino, Chelsea sent scouts to watch Osimhen in Napoli’s defeat to Monza.
Premier League certainty
Former Chelsea midfielder Geremi has claimed that Napoli star Victor Osimhen is almost certain to play in the Premier League.
“We will see Victor come and play in the Premier League in the future,” he told Lord Ping. “It would be very good news for the Premier League because you want to see the world’s best players play in the league, and he is certainly one of them. I think the fans would love his style too.
“There is no doubt that he would be a great addition to the league and any team that wants to sign him. I am certain that a big club will take him. He has reached the top level after what he has achieved for Napoli this season, so we know he will be expensive, but he is worth it.
He needs to find the right club and project, but every single big club in England would love to take him. I think he will make the move.”
Drogba comparison
Having previously revealed his childhood idol was Didier Drogba, the Nigeria international has now admitted he hopes to emulate the ex-Chelsea striker on the global stage.
Asked whether he saw himself as the Drogba, who represented Ivory Coast for more than a decade, of Nigerian football, Osimhen told TV broadcaster PSL: “I have huge belief that I have even more to give than I am doing now, and I think it’s a process so I’m really working so hard towards this and to be able to do what Didier Drogba has done for his country and do the same for the Super Eagles.
And I’m really working so hard, we have a great squad, I think with the help of my teammates I can really be at that level,” he told NFF TV. “My childhood idol is Didier Drogba.
“When I scored against Chelsea. The feeling because I know a lot of my friends that are Chelsea fans and before the game they messaged that they don’t care if Chelsea beat Lille 5-1 or 5-2 as long as I score. They wanted me to actualise my dream and that’s one of the best moments in my career.”
€150m price tag
Napoli are said to be braced for a huge amount of offers for their talisman at the end of the season and have prepared for any bids by slapping a £150m valuation on the striker.
That’s according to Il Mattino, who claim the Serie A leaders are desperate to hold of the striker and are hoping the big asking price will put the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal off.
The report insists Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is not interested in sitting down with any club who offers a penny short of the asking price.
About The Author
