Victor Osimhen is the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between Chelsea and Al-Ahli (Image: Getty)
The financial might of Chelsea’s transfer rival has come to the fore as Victor Osimhen weighs up his future. The Nigerian striker is expected to sign for either the Blues or Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli before Friday’s deadline, with Napoli set to bank a bumper fee.
Osimhen has made no secret of his desire to one day play in the Premier League, with legendary Chelsea frontman Didier Drogba one of his childhood heroes. But the vast wages Al-Ahli are offering would be difficult for anyone to ignore.
According to Di Marzio, the Saudi side have tabled a monumental four-year contract proposal worth just over £25million per season, which equates to around £485,000 a week.
Chelsea matching that amount would force them to rip up their current wage structure. Romelu Lukaku and Raheem Sterling are believed to be the two top earners at Stamford Bridge, and both of them are set to leave before the end of the week.
Next on the list, captain Reece James, pockets around half of what Al-Ahli are prepared to give Osimhen. The outgoing Napoli marksman therefore needs to weigh up the promise of superior wages against his Premier League ambitions.
Senior figures from Al-Ahli have reportedly flown into Italy today (Wednesday) in order to take negotiations to the next stage. Osimhen is yet to agree to their contract terms, however, with Chelsea still in the race.
Victor Osimhen has been left out of all three Napoli matchday squads this season (Image: Getty)
And the scale of Chelsea’s imminent wage proposal could ultimately determine the outcome of the transfer saga. Osimhen has not been involved in any of Napoli’s three competitive games so far this season.
His contract includes a £113million release clause but Chelsea and Al-Ahli are both expected to offer significantly lower transfer fees. The Blues have reportedly reached out to Brentford over the possibility of signing Ivan Toney, just in case their pursuit of Osimhen falls flat.
Chelsea chiefs are believed to be encouraged by the prospect of Toney commanding a comparatively reasonable transfer fee, and asking for a wage which would not upset the club’s current pay structure.
Al-Ahli, the same club chasing Osimhen, have also held extensive talks about signing Toney and it is entirely possible that whichever club misses out on the former will then snap up the latter.
Osimhen has scored 76 goals in 133 games for Napoli since completing a mega-money move from Lille in 2020.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1941525/victor-osimhen-chelsea-al-ahli-napoli