Chelsea open talks to sign €150 million-rated star on initial season-long loan deal: Reports
Chelsea have reportedly opened talks with Napoli to sign attacker Victor Osimhen this summer. They are said to be planning a loan deal with an option to buy him permanently at the end of the season.
As per a report by David Ornstein of The Atheltic, Chelsea are looking to bring in Osimhen on loan this season. They had initially walked away from the deal because of the exorbitant €120 million release clause.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are the only other side interested in signing the Nigerian striker this summer, but they too are not keen on paying the full release clause. They see the Napoli star as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who moved to Real Madrid this summer.
The Serie A side are also in talks with the Blues to sign Romelu Lukaku permanently. Manager Antonio Conte is keen on working with the striker once again after their successful stint together at Inter Milan.
Chelsea were urged to sign Victor Osimhen by Glen Johnson
Former England international Glen Johnson claimed last year that Victor Osimhen wanted to join Chelsea. He added that the striker would jump on the chance to move to the Stamford Bridge side and said on GGRecon (via AllFootball App):
"Regardless of what's happening at Napoli, I believe Victor would want to join Chėlsea anyway. However, Victor will be kicking himself that this move could happen when Chėlsea are currently in transition. Of course they're a big team and they're going to bounce back eventually. But as long as Victor is willing to wait 18 months or so for that to happen, then I'm sure he'd still want to sign for them in January."
While speaking to Paddy Power earlier this summer, Johnson yet again felt that Osimhen would be a good signing for the Blues. He said:
"If I could strengthen only one position, it would be a striker. Whatever striker Chelsea bring in will probably hamper Nicolas Jackson's development, but this is a results business. If someone's not doing it, you can't wait forever and you never know, bringing someone else in for his spot might kick him into gear.
"Victor Osimhen would bring that Drogba factor to Chėlsea. Pace, power, clinical goal machine and that's what Chėlsea need. Maybe Ivan Toney would be worth a shot but that all comes down to financials."