Fabrizio Romano details Victor Osimhen's stance on a potential loan-move to Chelsea this summer
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Chelsea's pursuit of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. The renowned transfer expert has claimed that Osimhen doesn't want to join the Blues on loan with an option to buy.
The Athletic's David Ornstein had previously reported that Chelsea and Napoli are considering a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku and Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian striker joining the Blues on loan. However, Romano has now claimed otherwise, saying the striker is not interested in such a deal structure.
Romano confirmed that Osimhen has already said yes to a move to PSG, but their negotiations with Napoli have hit a roadblock. Romano, though, pointed out Osimhen's agent Roberto Calenda's recent social media post, which seemed to address rumors of a move to Stamford Bridge.
Calenda took to X (formerly Twitter), asking for more respect toward Osimhen. He wrote:
"I read about imaginative exchanges with Victor sent here and there as if he was a package to be delivered quickly. This package, however, is the top scorer of the third scudetto in Napoli's history. Respect and stop fake news."
Romano highlighted why Osimhen's camp isn't considering a loan move to the Blues. In case of a loan move, Napoli would have to cover a part of Osimhen's salary, which they won't do.
Osimhen currently earns around €11 million per season at Napoli. A move could force him to accept a reduction, something Osimhen is not interested in doing.
Watch Fabrizio Romano explain the Victor Osimhen situation:
Chelsea target Victor Osimhen's Napoli career so far
Since his 2020 move to Napoli from Ligue 1 side Lille, Victor Osimhen has been a star player for the Serie A side. He has so far scored 76 goals and provided 18 assists in 133 appearances for the club.
The 2022-23 season was the highlight of Osimhen's Napoli stint. He scored 31 goals and provided five assists in 39 appearances across competitions. Osimhen bagged 26 Serie A goals as Napoli won the Scudetto for the first time since 1990 that term.
During his Napoli stint, Osimhen has proven his stature as an elite goalscorer in European football. Blues fans will keep a keen eye on whether his Chelsea move comes to fruition.