Chelsea are awaiting a green light from Victor Osimhen over a move to Stamford Bridge before advancing talks with Napoli about signing him ahead of the transfer window closing.
Osimhen is keen to join and Chelsea hope the 25-year-old Nigeria striker — who has been their top target all summer — will agree to fit into their team and incentive-based wage structure.
If his representatives make clear their client’s willingness to proceed on this basis, the west London side are expected to push for a deal.
Osimhen has been considered by Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli but they are working to recruit Ivan Toney and cannot acquire both.
Although he was among the candidates for Paris Saint-Germain when it was confirmed earlier this summer that Kylian Mbappe would be leaving, they are not pursuing the situation.
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Unless any other suitors unexpectedly appear at the last minute, it leaves a switch to Chelsea or staying with Napoli as the only possibilities.
The new ownership regime at Stamford Bridge have made efforts to reduce base salaries, with contracts designed to include significant performance and success-related bonuses.
They are said to be happy with the head coach Enzo Maresca’s squad but will still monitor the market for late opportunities to bolster further.
In July, The Athletic reported that the Nigerian international was in talks over a possible move to Chelsea with Napoli.
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Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 and has scored 76 goals in 133 appearances for the Italian club.
He was instrumental in Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years in the 2022-23 campaign, netting 26 times in 32 league appearances.
His goal tally dropped in 2023-24 as Napoli finished 10th, 41 points behind champions Inter, but he did score 17 goals across all competitions.
Osimhen began his career at German club Wolfsburg, before spending the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Belgian club Charleroi and joining Lille on a permanent deal the following season.
The striker scored 18 goals in his sole campaign at Lille before joining Napoli in a club-record fee of €70million potentially rising to €80m with add-ons.
(Ciro De Luca/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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