According to Sportface, Premier League giants Chelsea are looking to finalise a deal early enough to include Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in their squad for the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
That ambition has placed the Blues firmly in the driving seat in the race for the 26-year-old, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.
Osimhen has rediscovered his best form in Turkey, scoring 21 goals in the Super Lig and 29 across all competitions this season.
While Napoli still retain his rights, a €75 million release clause for clubs outside Italy means the Serie A side are open to cashing in this summer.
Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has reportedly flown to London to meet with Chelsea representatives—underlining the seriousness of the negotiations.
Osimhen came close to joining Chelsea last summer, but the deal fell through late in the window, prompting his loan move to Galatasaray.
Now, with the Club World Cup on the horizon, Chelsea are determined not to miss out again. They see Osimhen as a marquee addition capable of transforming their attacking line.
Juventus have also shown interest, especially amid uncertainty over Dusan Vlahovic’s future. However, Osimhen is unlikely to prioritise a return to Italy, with the Premier League widely seen as his dream destination—effectively ruling the Turin giants out.
Elsewhere, Arsenal and Manchester United remain long-time admirers, while Saudi club Al Hilal are reportedly prepared to offer a massive package in terms of both transfer fee and wages.
However, Osimhen is believed to be reluctant to move to the Middle East at this stage of his career, preferring to stay at the highest level of European football.
Galatasaray, for their part, are exploring creative ways to fund a permanent deal and hope to convince Osimhen to stay in Istanbul, where he has achieved near-cult status among fans. But matching the financial muscle of Premier League clubs remains a major challenge.
What Victor Osimhen Said About His Future
Speaking after scoring in Galatasaray’s 2-0 win over Samsunspor on Friday night, Osimhen made it clear that his focus is on the present.
“There are always rumours about me, of course. But I prefer to live in the moment. I am enjoying myself right now. I am enjoying both the club and my life here,” he told Galatasaray’s official website.
“The fans have also been incredibly supportive since day one. All stakeholders within Galatasaray—everyone has helped me. They’ve always been there for me—not just me, but also my friends and family.
“Now I will fight for the fifth star with my team, and a decision will be made at the end of the season about what will be best for everyone. Galatasaray will forever be in my heart.”
With Napoli preparing for a major summer sale and Osimhen in red-hot form, a big move appears to be on the horizon. Chelsea remain in pole position, hoping to wrap up the deal swiftly and make the Nigerian frontman the face of their Club World Cup campaign.
