Victor Osimhen transfer latest – Chelsea ‘progress’, Enzo Maresca stance, Arsenal replacements

Victor Osimhen is expected to seal a departure from Napoli in the summer transfer window. Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Chelsea have all been linked to the Nigeria international over the last few months, however interest may have dwindled after he struggled to match his stunning performances from the 2022/23 season in the most recent campaign.

From 32 appearances in all competitions Osimhen managed 17 goals, which was 14 less than his tally from Napoli’s Scudetto-winning season. Nonetheless, there is still some interest in Osimhen although the £113million release clause inserted into his new contract, signed just over six months ago, could complicate matters.

Both aforementioned London clubs are looking to sign a new striker while PSG are in the market to find the perfect Kylian Mbappe replacement. With that said, football.london has rounded up all the latest updates on Osimhen with the summer transfer window in full gear…

Chelsea are now reportedly looking to ‘progress’ their hopes to sign Osimhen this summer. According to CaughtOffside, the Blues are going back in for Osimhen after they’d previously decided to avoid the Nigerian due to his massive release clause earlier this year.

With just two years left on his current deal though, it remains to be seen how Chelsea will manage to secure the star, although reports suggest that Romelu Lukaku could be part of a player-plus-cash deal that’d see him turn out for Napoli ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Maresca stance

Enzo Maresca has hinted about the likelihood of more signings given Chelsea have made five so far this summer, and has claimed that he believes the squad he has at his disposal is already full of talent, indicating a big splash in the market may not be his style so early into his stint at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking in his first club interview in early July, he said: “I’m very excited. One of the reasons I’m here is because I’m convinced the squad is very good and full of talent. The most important thing now is we’re able to create the right culture that drives us for the season.

“I always say the same: if you are able to improve players then you are able to improve the team. So it’s our target to try to improve all of them day by day.”

Osimhen to Arsenal boost

Arsenal are the only team in the transfer race for Osimhen, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

“Osimhen, we assume that he will go away,” Di Marzio began via Il Napolista. “At the moment, there is only Arsenal, who are far from the clause.

“If he were to leave, and at the moment it is not certain, the very first choice would be [Romelu] Lukaku, the alternative is [Artem] Dovbyk from Girona.”

£113m problem

As briefly mentioned above, Arsenal do not have the available finances to seal a deal for Osimhen. Spending over £200million last summer has left the Gunners treading carefully to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

football.london has reported Arsenal are unlikely to make any marquee additions similar to the Declan Rice deal from last summer. As such, sanctioning a move for Osimhen, with his triple-figure release clause, is unlikely.

Final Chelsea decision

Chelsea looked to be in pole position to sign Osimhen, however that is certainly no longer the case.

As per multiple reports, the Blues are no longer looking to sign the striker with the club unwilling to pay his release clause. Concerns over his injury record and whether or not he would fit Enzo Maresca’s play style have also impacted their decision.