Chelsea have received a significant boost in their pursuit of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, as the Nigerian has formally requested to leave the club. Osimhen, who has been Chelsea’s top target, has been in sensational form for Napoli, leading them to a rare Serie A title last season. Since joining the club from Lille in 2020, he has scored an impressive 76 goals and provided 18 assists in 133 appearances. His performances have earned him a large following of fans.
Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, confirmed Osimhen’s desire to leave, stating, “Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go.” This news comes as a major boost for Chelsea, who have been actively monitoring the situation. Manna also indicated that a resolution could be reached within the next three weeks.
Chelsea’s search for a new center-forward has been ongoing, with Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistent debut season prompting the need for reinforcements. During the summer pre-season, manager Enzo Maresca had to rely heavily on 18-year-old Marc Guiu, who failed to convince that he was ready for a starting role. Osimhen remains a top target for Chelsea, despite their imminent deal for Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion.
Interestingly, Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen could potentially lead to a swap deal involving Napoli and Inter Milan. If Osimhen joins Chelsea, Napoli may look to sign Inter Milan’s star striker Romelu Lukaku. This would be a significant move for both clubs and could add further excitement to the summer transfer window.
Overall, Chelsea’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen has received a major boost with the player’s formal request to leave Napoli. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether a deal can be reached, and Chelsea will be hoping to secure their top target as they look to strengthen their attacking options for the upcoming season.