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Victor Osimhen has reportedly rejected Chelsea's latest contract offer and is set to stay at Napoli. The Nigerian forward is the Blues' top target, but as the clock ticks down on deadline day, a move to Stamford Bridge is becoming less likely.
RMC Sport's Fabrice Hawkins reports that Osimhen has declined a contract proposal of €155,000-a-week. He is eager to join Enzo Maresca's side but is failing to agree terms on wages.
Chelsea officials are in Naples trying to persuade him to agree to their terms. With just a few hours left in the transfer window, another season at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium looks more likely.
Osimhen, 25, wants the move but needs to fit into the Premier League club's wage structure. He received an astronomical offer from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ahli worth €25-30 million per season, per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Al-Ahli agreed on a €75-80 million deal with Napoli for Osimhen, but he stalled talks over a move to Saudi Arabia because he desired Chelsea. They have since switched their focus to Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who is set to join Matthias Jaissle's side.
Osimhen was in fine form last season, registering 17 goals and four assists in 32 games across competitions. He is arguably the No.9 the west London giants have been crying out for in recent years.
"He's a killer" - John Obi Mikel urged Chelsea to sign Victor Osimhen
Chelsea were told to seal a deal for Victor Osimhen earlier in the window by their former Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel. The Stamford Bridge fan favorite spoke on his Obi One podcast about the potential transfer and what the forward would bring:
"We need a center forward, an out and out striker, who can score goals. We need a Victor Osimhen, go and get Victor Osimhen. He is a player that is going to get us goals, technically maybe not the best, goalscoring, he will get us goals... he's a killer."
Osimhen was instrumental in Napoli's Scudetto triumph in the 2022-23 campaign. He scored 26 goals in 32 Serie A games, won the Golden Boot, and established himself as one of Europe's best goalscorers.
The former LOSC Lille man has also shone on the international stage with Nigeria. He's bagged 21 goals in 35 caps and finished top scorer at the African Cup of Nations twice.
