Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has given an update on Chelsea’s pursuit of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen.
The Stamford Bridge outfit are one of the strong candidates likely to sign the Napoli star in the summer but faces stern competition from Arsenal, Manchester United and particularly PSG.
Latest report has it that the Ligue 1 table-toppers are leading the race for the signing of the Nigeria international but that doesn’t guarantee anything at the moment.
Chelsea, like other suitors, are still in the race but will have to sort out their finances before proceeding in their pursuit of the reigning CAF Men’s Player of the Year.
This position has been confirmed by Romano who has detailed the current state of play on the two-time European champions interest in the much coveted striker.
“At the moment, nothing is close to being completed, but let me repeat once again that Chelsea’s appreciation of Osimhen remains,” Romano said on his YouTube channel via FootballTransfers.
“So, Chelsea have not changed their mind in terms of appreciating Osimhen and considering Osimhen a great candidate [to be their] new striker.
“But Chelsea have to understand and wait on the situation of Financial Fair Play and how much they can really spend on the striker.
“As soon as they will know that, they will decide on the striker position. [Benjamin] Sesko is on the list, Osimhen is on the list.
“For Osimhen, there is a big appreciation, but it depends also on the salary, signing fee, commission, all this stuff because Osimhen is already expensive in terms of release clause – around €120m, €130m – with some things to clarify in terms of his release clause.
“Not about when it’s valid because it’s going to be valid this summer, but about how is the final price and then the salary of the player.”
Chelsea have spent a huge fortune on players’ acquisition in previous windows, spending heavily on Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, two of the most expensive signings in Premier League history.
With the Premier League sanctioning Everton and Nottingham Forest for breach of the League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, the Blues will have to be careful before spending another huge sum on signing a player like Osimhen.
