Chelsea target Victor Osimhen is not close to signing a new contract with Napoli, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Writing in his column for the Daily Briefing Substack, the journalist said that the forward was offered a lucrative new deal at the start of the season but no progress has been made with regards to the player committing his future to the Serie A champions:
“From what I’m hearing it’s true that in August, Napoli presented a very important contract extension proposal to Victor Osimhen. The biggest salary in Napoli’s history was on the table to convince him to extend a contract which expires in the summer of 2025, but the contract extension is absolutely far from being done. There is no agreement, nothing has advanced or is progressing at this stage.”
Romano claims only a “crazy bid” would see Osimhen leave Naples during the January transfer window but a move at the end of the season (when the striker will have just a year left on his contract) is a strong possibility.
Are Chelsea genuine contenders to sign Osimhen?
A number of clubs have been linked with a move for the Nigerian international, including Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool but, speaking specifically about Chelsea’s interest, Romano has confirmed that the Blues are serious about pursuing the player:
“Chelsea are absolutely one of the clubs being kept informed on the situation, and this is very normal because we know they’ve been looking for a new striker for a long time.”
Napoli are expected to demand a big fee
Reports coming out of Italy suggest that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis may demand as much as €150m (£131m) for Osimhen. That’s an eyewatering sum that could put off Chelsea from making an offer.
The fact that he won’t be available in January either may also lead the Blues to seek alternatives. Brentford’s Ivan Toney is someone who will be on the market when the transfer window reopens, and he would be considerably cheaper than Osimhen as well.
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