Chelsea and Arsenal have both decided to end their pursuit of Victor Osimhen, marking a significant development in the summer transfer window.
Italian transfer expert, Ciro Troise, disclosed this information during an interview with CalcioNapoli24. The Premier League giants, Chelsea and Arsenal, were both keen on signing the Nigerian forward, but recent events have caused them to reconsider their positions.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Chelsea had been leading the charge to sign Osimhen, with the French champions particularly interested in strengthening their attacking options. However, Chelsea struggled to make headway in negotiations due to the substantial release clause attached to the player.
This initially opened the door for Arsenal to potentially secure a deal for the former Lille striker. The Gunners saw an opportunity to swoop in, especially with Chelsea seemingly hitting a dead-end. The deal from Chelsea was reported to involve Romelu Lukaku moving to Napoli on a permanent basis, which would have facilitated Osimhen’s move to Stamford Bridge.
However, the situation took a turn when Ciro Troise reported that Chelsea had shifted their focus away from Osimhen. Instead, they identified Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion as a potential alternative. This new direction effectively ended Chelsea’s pursuit of the Nigerian star.
Arsenal, who were hoping to capitalize on Chelsea’s struggles by hijacking the deal, have also decided to withdraw from the race. They are now following their London rivals in opting out of the high-stakes competition for Osimhen’s signature.
Ciro Troise explained via CalcioNapoli24, “Osimhen? The situation remains unchanged. His name resurfaces occasionally, but the reality is consistent: PSG is not willing to go beyond €70 million and has yet to offload Kolo Muani. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Arsenal have both withdrawn.”
Italian media outlets have also reported that Napoli’s newly appointed manager, Antonio Conte, is favoring Romelu Lukaku for the upcoming season. Conte’s preference for the Belgian forward might have played a role in the decision to cool off on Osimhen’s pursuit, as it aligns with Chelsea’s earlier proposal involving Lukaku’s transfer.
With Chelsea and Arsenal now out of the running, PSG remains the primary contender for Osimhen. However, their hesitation to meet Napoli’s valuation and the unresolved situation with Kolo Muani continue to be obstacles in finalizing any potential deal.
This latest development leaves the transfer saga surrounding Victor Osimhen in a state of uncertainty, with his future still hanging in the balance as the summer window progresses.
