Chelsea’s pursuit of Napoli forward Victor Osimhen faces uncertainty despite the player’s contract entering its final two years. Osimhen, having made a significant impact with 26 Serie A goals last season, has been subjected to transfer speculation amid two provocative TikTok posts from Napoli’s social media team.
While the Nigerian international’s success at Napoli is evident with 65 goals and 16 assists in 113 appearances, the club’s current standing, eight points behind Inter Milan, raises the possibility of Osimhen seeking a new challenge. Persistent rumors link him to Chelsea, who reportedly seek a new center-forward in January.
Despite Napoli placing a hefty £130m price tag on Osimhen’s services, potentially deterring Chelsea’s pursuit, recent developments suggest that a mid-season transfer is unlikely. Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, announced at an event in Naples that Osimhen is on the brink of signing a contract extension with the Italian giants. De Laurentiis stated, “With Osimhen, we are about to sign the contract that was pending this summer.”
Although previous comments hinted at a potential shift in Osimhen’s disposition, the Napoli chief emphasized the unlikelihood of a sale, emphasizing the challenge for teams to meet the valuation, rumored to be as high as £150m. Reports in Italy suggest that the new contract may include a release clause, slightly below £130m.
Should Osimhen commit to Napoli, other potential suitors like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, also linked with the striker, may need to reassess their options given the high asking price. The unfolding contract extension adds a layer of complexity to the transfer landscape surrounding Victor Osimhen.
