Chelsea's pursuit of Victor Osimhen appears to be on the verge of collapse as the Napoli striker is set to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli for a staggering fee of €80 million, according to reports. While the Blues have been in negotiations with Napoli for weeks, the lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia seems to have swayed the Nigerian international.
The Blues have made a late bid for Osimhen, having been in talks with Napoli over the past few weeks. That offer is thought to have been for an initial loan but with an obligation to buy the Nigerian next summer. However, Osimhen's desire to move to Saudi Arabia, coupled with the financial muscle of Al-Ahli, has tipped the scales in favor of the Middle Eastern club.
Chelsea's financial position this summer has been boosted by the recent sale of Romelu Lukaku to Napoli, but Osimhen only penned a new contract in Naples nine months ago. He has been pushing for an exit ever since though.
The 25-year-old forward's agent, Roberto Calenda, has confirmed that Osimhen would prefer to stay in Europe but the huge salary offer from Al-Ahli is simply too tempting to turn down. It is understood that Osimhen will be paid a staggering €30 million per year after taxes, making him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.
Chelsea's transfer hierarchy had initially been in attendance at the club's Conference League play-off second leg against Servette. They witnessed a surprise defeat for Enzo Maresca's side, although the Blues did progress 3-2 on aggregate.
While the deal between Napoli and Al-Ahli is reportedly agreed, the final decision still rests with Osimhen. Chelsea are still hopeful of convincing the striker to stay in Europe, but their task has become significantly harder in light of Al-Ahli's generous offer.
A Blow To Chelsea's Transfer Plans
The potential departure of Osimhen represents a major blow to Chelsea's transfer plans. The Blues have been looking to strengthen their attacking options after the departure of Romelu Lukaku and the underwhelming performances of Nicolas Jackson. Osimhen's goal-scoring prowess and physicality would have made him a perfect fit for Chelsea's system.
The news comes as a huge disappointment for Chelsea fans who were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Nigerian striker. With the transfer deadline looming, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea can still find a way to sign Osimhen or if they will have to turn their attention to other targets.
Chelsea's Deadline Day Dilemma
With the transfer deadline rapidly approaching, Chelsea are facing a race against time to find a replacement for Osimhen. The Blues have been linked with a number of other strikers, including Ivan Toney, Jhon Duran, and Jonathan David, but it remains unclear whether any of these deals can be finalized before the window closes.
Chelsea's pursuit of Osimhen has highlighted the challenges of competing in the modern transfer market, especially against clubs with unlimited financial resources. The Saudi Pro League's spending spree has made it difficult for even the richest European clubs to compete for the biggest names in the game.
The Future Of Osimhen
If Osimhen does indeed move to Saudi Arabia, it will be a major coup for the Saudi Pro League. The league has already attracted a number of high-profile players this summer, including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Roberto Firmino. Osimhen's arrival would further enhance the league's reputation and attract even more top players in the future.
However, it will also be a loss for European football. Osimhen is one of the most exciting young strikers in the world and his departure would be a significant blow to the competitiveness of European leagues.
Chelsea's Next Move
Chelsea are now faced with a difficult decision. They can either try to sign another striker before the transfer deadline or they can accept that they will have to make do with their current options. The club's decision will have a major impact on their chances of success this season.
The End Of The Osimhen Saga?
The saga of Victor Osimhen's transfer has taken a dramatic turn, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering what the future holds for the Nigerian striker. While Chelsea remain in the race, it seems that Al-Ahli's massive offer may be too good to resist. With the transfer deadline looming, this story is far from over, but it seems that Osimhen's move to the Saudi Pro League is increasingly likely.
Only time will tell whether Chelsea can pull off a miracle and secure the signature of the highly sought-after striker. But for now, it seems that the Blues may have to accept defeat in their pursuit of Osimhen and turn their attention to alternative targets.
