Chelsea Submit Official Bid for Osimhen

Chelsea have officially entered the race for Victor Osimhen, submitting a formal offer for the Napoli striker after months of speculation linking him to the Premier League. According to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the Blues have presented their bid to Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, with formal negotiations with Napoli expected to kick off on Wednesday. Osimhen has already expressed his desire to leave Napoli, but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck before the August 31 transfer deadline. Chelsea’s pursuit of the Nigerian star reflects their urgent need for a top-tier striker, especially as the transfer window nears its close.

In a related development, Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of completing his move to Napoli. The Belgian striker was in Naples on Wednesday for his medicals ahead of signing the contract. Meanwhile, Osimhen has also attracted interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, who reportedly made a lucrative offer. However, Calenda confirmed that his client intends to stay in Europe at this stage of his career. Chelsea are not putting all their eggs in one basket, having also identified Brentford’s Ivan Toney as a backup option if they fail to land Osimhen. The 25-year-old Nigeria international has been a consistent performer since joining Napoli from Lille in 2020, scoring 76 goals in 133 appearances over three seasons. Recently crowned African Footballer of the Year, Osimhen also finished eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

Despite interest from Saudi Arabia, including a reported €70 million offer from Al-Ahli, Osimhen remains focused on continuing his career in Europe. His current Napoli contract, which runs until June 2026, includes a €130 million release clause. Chelsea, however, face stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with the striker earlier this summer. As the transfer saga unfolds, Osimhen continues to train separately from the Napoli squad, keeping fans and clubs alike on edge as the August 31 deadline approaches.