Chelsea encounter a major setback in their bid to sign Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen not keen on joining Chelsea on loan

Chelsea are in talks with Napoli over a swap deal for Romelu Lukaku which would see Victor Osimhen come to the Stamford Bridge. The finer monetary details of the transfer are still not fully clear although the Blues are initially keen on the Nigerian joining on a loan.

According to Football London (who cite Fabrizio Romano), Osimhen is not interested in leaving Napoli on loan. The 25-year-old wants a permanent solution for his future, therefore handing Chelsea’s bid of landing him this summer a huge setback.

As per the appended source, Romano said:

“People are saying that Chelsea left the race for Osimhen, I’m not aware of this. People are saying that Chelsea are accelerating for Osimhen, I’m not aware of this. People are saying that Chelsea are getting closer for Osimhen on a loan, I’m not aware of this. No changes for Osimhen. As of today, the interest remains, but Osimhen doesn’t want to go on loan.”

Chelsea’s sale of Romelu Lukaku hinges on Napoli being able to get rid of Osimhen, either as part of the deal for the Belgian, or separately. What currently looks impossible is for Antonio Conte to work with both strikers in the squad in the new season.

At the same time, the Blues are in a bit of a financial tightrope which would alleviate following the sales of Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku as well as Armando Broja, who remains linked with a Stamford Bridge departure.

However, there are no guarantees that they will be able to afford Osimhen’s transfer even by selling a handful of players.

As the transfer window runs down, Chelsea as well as Napoli will look to find a solution which would help them exchange Lukaku and Osimhen. There is a shortage of interest in both strikers, although it does look like they are ready to swap into west London and Naples.

Chelsea have already captured Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid and are in no desperate need for Osimhen. Therefore, they have the leeway to dictate the terms of his transfer and just do a simple deal with Napoli involving Lukaku, if their finances permit.

Otherwise, the alternative for the Blues would be to sign Osimhen on an initial loan along with an obligation to buy him next year, in which case they will have their hands tied for a few million pounds heading into the next summer.

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Given Osimhen’s rigidity on a loan, his move to Chelsea now could only be subject to the Blues’ willingness to spend beyond their means or Napoli significantly lowering his asking price, currently believed to be £85 million.