Chelsea’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen might not be over, as the club has been given fresh hope of securing the striker in January. Despite intense efforts to sign the Napoli forward on Deadline Day, the Blues were unable to finalize a deal. However, recent developments have opened up a potential avenue for Chelsea to revisit their interest in the winter transfer window.
Osimhen, who was Chelsea’s top target in the final days of the summer window, faced an uncertain future after negotiations broke down. As Europe’s top leagues closed their transfer windows without Osimhen making a move, the striker found himself at odds with Napoli, leading to his exclusion from the squad. In a surprising turn, Galatasaray emerged as a temporary destination for the Nigerian international, but the move came with specific conditions.
Reports from Sky Sport Italia suggest that Osimhen negotiated a lower release clause in his Napoli contract before agreeing to the loan move to Turkey. Initially set at €130 million (£109.5 million), the clause has now been reduced to €75 million (£63.2 million). Additionally, Napoli has the option to extend Osimhen’s contract until 2027 if he isn’t sold next summer, providing them with some control over the player’s future.
The most intriguing aspect of the deal is Osimhen’s request for a January break clause. This clause allows the striker to leave Galatasaray if a major European club expresses interest during the winter window. Turkish outlet A Spor reports that only a select group of clubs can activate this clause, with Chelsea being one of them. Other clubs reportedly on the list include Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and potentially Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Osimhen’s decision to include specific clubs in the break clause highlights his desire to move to one of Europe’s elite teams. Galatasaray, while covering his full salary during the loan spell, will not have the option to make the move permanent, further fueling speculation that Osimhen sees his future at a higher level.
Turkish reporter Kagan Dursun even suggests that Osimhen personally wrote down the names of eight clubs he would consider joining in January, reinforcing the notion that his time in Turkey could be brief. Chelsea’s continued interest, coupled with the more favorable release clause, means the club could be in a strong position to finally land their man when the transfer window reopens.
While Osimhen’s future remains uncertain, Chelsea’s pursuit of the striker seems far from over. The Blues will undoubtedly be monitoring the situation closely, knowing that a renewed bid in January could see them finally secure one of their top targets. For now, Osimhen’s stint in Turkey offers a temporary solution, but the possibility of a high-profile move to Stamford Bridge remains very much alive.
