Osimhen was at the centre of a major transfer saga during the 2024 summer window, which ultimately ended in a failed move away from the Diego Maradona Stadium.
This unresolved drama has now led to further tensions in Naples, with the Neapolitans unwilling to reinstate the Super Eagles talisman into their first-team squad.
Despite a previous salary dispute with Chelsea that derailed a summer transfer, the London club remains at the forefront of negotiations, aiming to secure Osimhen’s services in January, as reported by Nigerian broadcast journalist Onyebuchi Onokala, also known as Buchi Laba.
Chelsea has intensified efforts to bring Osimhen to Stamford Bridge, making their intentions clear to Napoli. Personal terms between the player and the club have reportedly been agreed upon, with both parties eager to finalise the deal.
The urgency of the situation is driven by Osimhen’s desire for more playing time and Chelsea’s determination to complete the arrangement swiftly.
Onyebuchi further reported that the deal might be concluded before Osimhen travels to Nigeria for national duty, with negotiations potentially wrapping up within the next three days.
In the interim, with Osimhen exiled from Napoli’s first team, a yet-to-be-identified Europa League-playing club is looking to secure the Super Eagles star on a four-month loan. This would allow Osimhen to maintain his match fitness before Chelsea potentially steps in.
The Nigerian attacker will be keen to showcase his impressive skills on the pitch when he represents Nigeria in their upcoming matches.
Meanwhile, Napoli head coach, Antonio Conte, has expressed his disappointment over the club’s inability to sell Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window.
Speaking after Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Parma, in which Romelu Lukaku—Osimhen’s potential replacement—scored off the bench, Conte hinted that Osimhen’s future at the club might be limited.
Osimhen was on the brink of securing a move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day, but the deal collapsed due to disagreements over salary demands. His deal with Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, also fell off. The failed transfer leaves the Super Eagles star in a precarious position at Napoli, especially following the arrival of Lukaku, who is expected to take up a prominent role in the squad.
“I’m happy with the work the club did on the market,” Conte said, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. “If there had been the sale of Victor Osimhen, we would have completed the situation… but I’m happy.”
On the arrival of Lukaku, he said;
“What can I say about Romelu. He is a unique centre-forward. Usually the big strikers are a bit slow, or you have to use them as a target in the penalty area, or they don’t have the best legs to exploit the space on the pitch.
“I have always described Lukaku as an American Football Player. He’s 1.90m tall, but very fast. He is a powerful player, we need someone who can hold it up, bring other players in, find combinations, while also being a player who can attack spaces and cause damage.
“That’s why I consider him to be unique. Having already said that he’s a good guy, I would put my hand on an open flame for him, and he knows the responsibility that has for me, for Napoli and for the fans.”
Reacting to the issues surrounding Osimhen’s transfer, Jay Jay Okocha has stated that he played the game of football to better the lives of himself and his family members.
The former Nigerian national team captain played for several top clubs in Europe before his retirement in 2008, Okocha’s comments reflect on Victor Osimhen’s transfer debacle involving a mega offer from Saudi club Al Ahli.
This comes amid the mega-money contract offered to wantaway Napoli striker Victor Osimhen by Saudi club Al Ahli.
An English Premier League club, Chelsea, offered the 25-year-old €4million per season wages with another €4million in bonuses.
Al Ahli, on the other hand, seem prepared to break the bank to land the striker with a staggering deal worth around £33.6m (€40m) a season – or £646,154 per week – tax-free.
While some fans urged the Super Eagles forward to move to England to continue his career growth, others advised him to choose the ‘money bag’ offered in Saudi Arabia.
Okocha’s believes money is important
A clip has since gone viral showing Jay Jay Okocha’s stance on such a situation. The former Bolton Wanderers star stated categorically that trophies do not put food on the table.
Speaking in Igbo, Okocha, 51, said as translated:
“I learnt early enough that trophies do not pay school fees. Money pays school fees. So it is the money I was after because I need to better my community.
“I needed to change my life and that of my family. I came from a poor background. But if the trophy comes while playing for the money, it is a bonus.
“We Africans mostly play for the money because because we have experienced poverty.”
It was reported that Victor Osimhen’s potential move to Chelsea is off. The striker will stay at Napoli unless an offer comes in from Saudi Arabia, whose window is open until September 2.
His relationship with Napoli broke down during the negotiation, and if he stays at the club, he will be banished from the squad until January.
The deal collapsed after both parties could not agree on personal terms, with the Blues unable to propose a satisfactory offer.