Chelsea are reportedly planning a January move for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirming the club’s interest, according to The PUNCH.
Romano, speaking to Caught Offside, mentioned that Chelsea might be preparing a £40 million offer for the Napoli striker during the winter transfer window.
However, he emphasized that no formal negotiations are currently taking place, despite behind-the-scenes discussions at Stamford Bridge.
Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has made an impressive start in Turkey, scoring twice in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Kasımpaşa last weekend. His brace also secured his place in Galatasaray’s history as the first player to contribute four or more goals in the first three Süper Lig games since Bafetimbi Gomis in 2017.
Although Osimhen’s future remains uncertain, with his contract at Napoli expiring in July 2025, RAI Sport journalist Ciro Venerato reports that a €90 million release clause could enable his departure from Napoli in January, though it doesn’t apply to Serie A clubs.
Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen could have major consequences for their current forward, Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese striker, who joined from Villarreal for £32 million last summer, has impressed in his debut Premier League season, scoring four goals in six matches.
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Jackson has the potential to become a £150 million player, stating, “If Nicolas Jackson fulfills his potential, he will be a £150m player. I’m convinced of that.”
Jackson has already outperformed Chelsea legend Didier Drogba’s debut season, scoring 14 goals compared to Drogba’s 10 during the 2004/05 campaign.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has proven to be a prolific scorer, netting 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli since his £73 million move from Lille in 2020. He was also the top scorer in Serie A for the 2022-23 season with 26 goals, playing a key role in Napoli’s title-winning campaign.
Despite the transfer speculation, Galatasaray’s vice president İbrahim Hatipoğlu recently stated, “There is no possibility of Osimhen leaving the team in January. We are considering him for next season as well.”
As the January transfer window approaches, Chelsea’s potential pursuit of Osimhen could trigger significant changes in their attacking options, but for now, the Nigerian striker remains focused on his performances for Galatasaray.
