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Chelsea have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, as the 25-year-old has formally submitted a transfer request to leave the Italian club this summer. This move signals a decisive step from the player, who has long been a top target for Chelsea in their bid to solve their ongoing striker crisis.
Osimhen’s decision to request a move follows months of speculation over his future. The forward, who signed a contract extension with Napoli in December 2023 including a release clause reportedly worth around €120 million (£102 million), has grown unsettled and is keen to take the next step in his career. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis had initially stood firm on keeping Osimhen, but the player’s formal request to leave has shifted the dynamics significantly in favor of the buying clubs.
Chelsea have been monitoring Osimhen for over a year and view him as a key solution to their attacking inefficiency. The club has lacked a consistent goal scorer since the departure of Diego Costa, with recent strikers like Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku, and Nicolas Jackson struggling to fully establish themselves. With new manager Enzo Maresca looking to reshape the squad, Osimhen is seen as a transformative addition who can lead the line with pace, power, and proven scoring ability.
While Paris Saint-Germain was initially considered a serious contender for Osimhen’s signature especially after Kylian Mbappé’s exit to Real Madrid reports indicate that PSG are no longer actively pursuing the Nigerian striker. Head coach Luis Enrique is reportedly content with his current forward options, including Randal Kolo Muani and Gonçalo Ramos, allowing Chelsea to move into pole position.
Negotiations between Chelsea and Napoli are ongoing. Napoli remains open to offers, and there is increasing talk of a potential player-plus-cash deal involving Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku spent last season on loan at Roma but remains on Chelsea’s books. Napoli, now managed by Antonio Conte who previously coached Lukaku at Inter Milan is reportedly interested in reuniting with the Belgian, making a swap deal more plausible.
However, a significant hurdle remains: Osimhen’s wage demands. The striker is reportedly asking for a salary in the region of £500,000 per week, which would make him the highest-paid player in Chelsea history. While Chelsea may not meet that exact figure, the club is exploring structured contracts with performance-related incentives and signing bonuses to bridge the gap.
Another factor in Chelsea’s favor is Osimhen’s openness to joining the Premier League. He has previously expressed admiration for English football and sees a move to Stamford Bridge as a major step in his career. With personal terms expected to be discussed in the coming weeks, Chelsea are increasingly confident of securing a deal before the close of the summer transfer window.
From Napoli’s perspective, the club is keen to conclude Osimhen’s departure quickly to reinvest in the squad under Conte’s new regime. With PSG pulling out and Osimhen actively pushing for the exit, Chelsea may also be in a stronger negotiating position to lower the final fee, which could fall slightly below the release clause if Napoli sees benefit in a structured deal with player exchange.
If Chelsea can finalize the transfer, it would mark one of their most significant signings in recent memory and address a glaring gap in their squad. Osimhen scored 26 goals in the 2022–23 Serie A season, leading Napoli to their first league title in over 30 years and confirming his status as one of Europe’s elite forwards.
As things stand, Chelsea are the front-runners for Osimhen’s signature, with momentum building toward a high-profile Premier League move. The Blues now face a crucial period of negotiations in which they must align financial terms and satisfy both the player and Napoli, potentially within weeks. The transfer request from Osimhen has paved the way, and Chelsea are ready to act.
