Victor Osimhen has been the subject of rumors for months now, with the Nigerian striker being reportedly associated with a summer move to Chelsea as well as maybe Saudi. He did not have a move to either destination. With the January transfer window fast approaching, Napoli seems to have said maybe they will sell the 25-year-old as hinted by director Mauro Meluso. This announcement sent shockwaves through the football world. And Chelsea is once again expected to be at the forefront of the race to secure his signature.
The Summer That Almost Saw Osimhen Leave
During the summer transfer window, Osimhen was among the most pursued players. His performances at Napoli were exceptional most importantly in Serie A and caught the attention of top European clubs. Chelsea showed serious interest in the striker. They wanted to strengthen their attack. And this Nigerian seemed capable of taking on the line by himself, never mind the extra talent he gave their team. Yet, despite all the hype, nothing came about.
Contrary to that, Osimhen ended up in a relatively unexpected situation where the Napoli manager, Antonio Conte, declared that he would not play for the first team. He was loaned out to Turkish giants Galatasaray. The loan move helped him stay match-fit during this period. And so far, he has done well in Turkey, scoring two goals and three assists in just four appearances. Considering the good start to the loan deal, this one seems more like a stopgap measure than a long-term solution.
Price For Victor Osimhen
The most interesting news coming out of Meluso is that Osimhen’s £109m release clause applicable in summer is no more. He would be available for £68m in January. It appears that lowered price tags have attracted the attention of several clubs, and among them are Chelsea. Waiting till summer would see the price going even lower to £63m. It is a great slump in value that gives a real opportunity for clubs looking to bolster their forward options.
For Chelsea, this could be the ideal time to strike. The Blues have had a great season, so far but their attack has not been great at all times. Osimhen can be just the remedy for that, and his reduced asking price is another reason why he is more desirable. However, Chelsea will still face stiffer competition in this area from other clubs of course. But also from Galatasaray, who are said to be keen to make his move permanent.
Galatasaray: The Current Home For Victor Osimhen
Well, if Victor indeed departs in January, it is reported that Galatasaray will take £5m compensation. The Turkish club has, however, caught a glimpse of what the forward can offer. They are seriously thinking about making his stay permanent. Osimhen has, however, shown a strong desire to join the Blues. Reports at Corriere dello Sport suggest that he still wants to leave for the EPL despite the interest from Galatasaray.
Here, though, Galatasaray’s intentions are not so subtle. They wish to take the best out of Osimhen during his stay in Turkey by turning the loan into a permanent transfer. This puts the Blues in a bit of a tight spot. If they want Osimhen for themselves, then they must hasten as the Turkish side is only beginning to seriously call.
Napoli’s Position
Some have questioned the decision of Napoli to send Osimhen on loan rather than selling him during the summer. But Meluso defended the approach taken. He said the loan was more of a “last minute solution”. All these just to make sure Osimhen didn’t lose the first three months of the season. From here, it seems that the club was unwilling to let him go at a lower price. Even though he had fallen out of favor with the first team setup.
Meluso revealed that Victor openly confessed to Napoli that he didn’t want to play in the first team. The director mentioned that Napoli received significant offers for the striker. But it was club president Aurelio De Laurentiis who said no to them. He wanted to retain Osimhen at all costs and make Napoli competitive again. However one could easily understand how things have taken a toll on the relations between the club and the player.
Conclusion
The situation about Victor Osimhen remains fluid. His loan move to Turkey has been a temporary solution, and nowadays Napoli is bound to sell him in January. The Blues will keep their eye on him; the reduced asking price makes him even more attractive. Be it or not, though, one thing is certain: Osimhen’s future remains shrouded in uncertainty as the course of the next few months will determine who his next destination will be.
For now, all eyes will be on the January transfer window as Chelsea, Galatasaray. And other interested parties are looking to secure one of the hottest strikers in Europe.
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