Chelsea poised to make first official bid for Victor Osimhen

Chelsea are set to make their first official bid for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, marking a significant step towards the Nigerian forward’s potential move to Stamford Bridge.

This development follows a summer of intense speculation about Osimhen’s future and concerns that he might remain in Naples.

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a concrete offer for the 25-year-old striker, who has attracted significant interest following his standout performances last season.

Osimhen, who finished as Serie A’s top scorer in 2023 and played a key role in Napoli’s first Scudetto triumph in over 30 years, has a release clause of approximately €120 million in his contract.

Despite his impressive form, few clubs were willing to meet Napoli’s asking price. Initial reports suggested Osimhen was interested in a move to Paris Saint-Germain. However, PSG have since withdrawn from the race, leaving Chelsea as the leading candidate for his signature. Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli also showed interest but faced challenges in meeting Osimhen’s expectations.

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Sources close to Chelsea indicate that the Blues are ready to test Napoli’s resolve with their upcoming bid. While the exact figure of Chelsea’s offer has not been disclosed, it is expected to be significantly below Osimhen’s €120 million release clause. Napoli are now more open to negotiating a deal, given their difficulties in offloading the striker and the player’s reluctance to accept a recent €70 million offer from Al-Ahli.

Should Chelsea and Napoli reach an agreement, the next hurdle will be to convince Osimhen to accept a lower wage than initially demanded.

Chelsea are reportedly considering a performance-based contract for the Super Eagles star, aligning his compensation with his contributions on the pitch.

The move could be a significant boost for Chelsea, who are looking to strengthen their squad and add a proven goalscorer to their ranks.