Victor Osimhen has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea (Image: Getty)
Chelsea target Victor Osimhen once insisted the Premier League is not too dissimilar to Serie A ahead of a potential switch to Stamford Bridge. The Blues have been strongly linked with the prolific Napoli striker this summer.
Wide-ranging reports have claimed Chelsea may tempt Napoli into selling Osimhen by offering them Romelu Lukaku and the young Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei. The Blues would benefit from signing an elite No 9.
And Osimhen does not believe the move would be too big a step up. There is a belief that Serie A has declined in quality over the past two decades. However, the 25-year-old does not agree with that suggestion, insisting
Speaking to the Daily Mail last year, Osimhen said: “Everyone watches the EPL, it is really competitive, but Serie A is also one of the strongest leagues. When Cristiano Ronaldo played there, he said the same thing. I am really happy to be there.”
Osimhen enjoyed another successful personal year last season despite Napoli’s woeful defence of their 2022-23 title. His 17 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions were only enough to navigate his side to a disappointing 10th-placed finish.
The year before, Osimhen struck 26 league goals as Napoli lifted their first domestic title in three decades.
Should Osimhen move to Chelsea, he could follow in the footsteps of his idol Didier Drogba. The Nigeria international admitted that he ‘supported’ the Ivorian during his time in West London, and recalls the former striker’s equaliser in the 2012 Champions League final.
“I have always supported Drogba and I have huge love and admiration for him,” Osimhen said.
Victor Osimhen has scored prolifically for Napoli in Serie A and is being eyed by Chelsea (Image: Getty)
“I remember when he scored the equaliser in the 2012 Champions League final, an amazing header, and the way I celebrated was as though I had scored the goal. My friends knew I was obsessed with Drogba.”
Chelsea are reportedly still hoping to sign a forward despite another big-spending transfer window. Their latest arrival, Pedro Neto, cost £54million in a deal with Wolves. The Portugal international is yet another addition to the club’s wide options, with Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke both battling for the same role.
Napoli previously rated Osimhen at £150m but it is unlikely they will receive anywhere near that fee this summer. Reports suggest that outcast forward Lukaku could be used to sweeten the deal. The Belgian has spent the last two seasons on loan in Italy, at Inter Milan and Roma.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1936615/chelsea-victor-osimhen-premier-league-transfer