Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues retain Victor Osimhen interest, club eyeing Bundesliga star, and more - July 3, 2024
Chelsea are preparing to start a new journey under Enzo Maresca next season. The Italian manager took charge at Stamford Bridge at the start of June, following Mauricio Pochettino's exit.
Meanwhile, the Blues have retained their interest in Victor Osimhen. Elsewhere, the London giants are keeping a close eye on a Bundesliga striker.
On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from July 3, 2024.
Chelsea retain Victor Osimhen interest
Chelsea remain in the race to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, according to The Telegraph. The English club are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old, who is expected to be on the move this summer. However, the player's £113m release clause is a problem for the Blues.
Enzo Maresca has already welcomed 18-year-old striker Marc Guiu, who joined from Barcelona this summer. However, the Italian manager remains keen to add more quality and experience to the final third.
The London giants are monitoring multiple candidates for the job, but their interest in Osimhen hasn't waned. The Nigerian signed a new contract with Napoli last December, but is expected to take the next step in his career this summer.
The Blues will only move for the 25-year-old if the Serie A side are willing to lower their asking price. However, the report adds that a move to Saudi Arabia looks the more likely outcome at the moment.
Blues eyeing Maximilian Beier, says Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea have their eyes on Maximilian Beier, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The German forward enjoyed an explosive 2023/24 campaign with Hoffenheim, scoring 16 goals and setting up three more from 35 games across competitions.
The player is currently with his national team at Euro 2024 and remains a wanted man this summer. The Blues are looking for a new striker this year and are eyeing multiple candidates for the job. Recent reports have suggested that they have their eyes on the 21-year-old.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano insisted that the German is one of the many names currently on the London giants' radar.
“Chelsea just asked for information about the release clause, how does it work, how the situation is on the player. But Chelsea did the same with several strikers in recent weeks. So at the moment, it’s not a proper negotiation to sign Beier. It's just one of the names they discussed internally,” said Romano.
Recent reports have suggested that Beier has a €32.5m release clause in his contract.
Jonathan David not in talks for Stamford Bridge move, says journalist
Chelsea are not in talks to sign Jonathan David this summer, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs. The Canadian striker was in red-hot form for Lille in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 26 goals across competitions.
The player's contract is set to run out at the end of next season and he hasn't agreed to a new deal yet. The situation has alerted his suitors, including the Blues, who are looking for Romelu Lukaku's replacement this summer.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs added that David is likely to be on the move this year.
“David is expected to go this window rather than stay at Lille and end up leaving on a free or signing a new deal and there's a high enough volume of suitors that somebody's going to get a real bargain there. So we can keep an eye on Chelsea for Jonathan David still, but they're not in a rush at this point," said Jacobs.
He continued:
“They've done good early business with a number of players. There's an acceptance now that some players have focused on international football, especially with Enzo Maresca not even formally starting yet, and pre-season not underway.”
The 24-year-old fits the profile of players that the London giants have pursued of late.