Chelsea’s Move for Victor Osimhen Hits Major Snag Amid Financial and Strategic Constraints
Chelsea’s efforts to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen have stalled, with the deal hindered by Napoli’s steep £84.5 million asking price and the Nigerian forward’s hefty wage expectations.
As the Blues gear up for the 2025/26 season, head coach Enzo Maresca has emphasized a careful, calculated approach to transfers. “We won’t rush deals,” he stated, as Chelsea’s search for a reliable top-tier striker remains unresolved—raising concerns about their attacking depth ahead of a demanding campaign in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Osimhen, 26, remains one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. He demonstrated elite finishing during a standout loan spell at Galatasaray in 2024/25, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances and leading the Turkish club to a third straight league title and a domestic cup triumph. Despite returning to Napoli, where he is under contract until 2026, Osimhen is reportedly eager for a permanent move away.
Chelsea had shown interest in the striker as far back as the previous summer, but their bid—a season-long loan with an obligation to buy—was rejected. Napoli are insistent on a full transfer, demanding close to the full release clause. Additionally, Osimhen’s reported £211,000-per-week salary demands conflict with Chelsea’s revised wage structure, introduced in late 2022 to maintain financial discipline.
Under the direction of co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea have been firm about keeping their wage bill in check. Only a few players earn more than £200,000 weekly, and the club is reluctant to make exceptions, even for a player of Osimhen’s caliber.
Maresca, who secured Champions League qualification with a fourth-place league finish, has reinforced the club’s intention to operate on their own terms. This philosophy has guided recent signings, with Chelsea investing in promising young talent such as Liam Delap (£30 million from Ipswich Town) and Joao Pedro (£50 million from Brighton). Both have shown promise—Delap scored in the Club World Cup final, and Pedro netted twice in the semi-finals—but neither is seen as a finished article capable of leading the line solo.
The need for a proven, elite striker remains evident. Current No. 9 Nicolas Jackson has delivered 24 league goals and 10 assists over two seasons, but inconsistency and disciplinary issues have raised doubts. While Maresca believes in Jackson’s potential, he has noted the player is “still learning” at the top level. Other options, such as Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu, are not viewed as natural fits for the striker role and may be sold before the window closes.
The Osimhen deal has become more complicated with rival interest. Manchester United are reportedly back in discussions, and Saudi side Al-Hilal are also keen, with former striker Odion Ighalo publicly urging Osimhen to move to the Middle East. Galatasaray, where Osimhen thrived last season, remain hopeful of bringing him back and are said to be preparing an offer closer to £64 million.
Chelsea may need to sell players to make room financially. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is linked with a £21.5 million move to Sunderland, and Napoli are reportedly open to a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku and Cesare Casadei—though even that would not resolve Osimhen’s wage demands.
Despite winning the FIFA Club World Cup with a dominant 3-0 final win over PSG, Maresca understands that domestic and European challenges will require more firepower. Osimhen’s consistent scoring—26 goals in 30 Süper Lig games and regular contributions to Nigeria’s national team—makes him the ideal candidate. But with negotiations at a standstill, Chelsea may soon have to turn their attention to alternative options.
The club’s next steps in the transfer market will be crucial. While their ambition is clear, financial pragmatism and squad-building strategy remain guiding principles. Unless a breakthrough is made, Osimhen may stay out of reach—leaving Chelsea to decide whether to push harder or pivot in search of another striker.
