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Victor Osimhen remains very interested in playing for Chelsea and is weighing up a move to Stamford Bridge in January.
Chelsea have been credited with a strong interest in Osimhen for a number of years and reportedly sent a delegation to Naples on deadline day to get a deal over the line for the striker ahead of the new season.
But a proposed transfer from Napoli to west London fell through and Osimhen went on to complete a season-long agreement with Galatasaray. Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli and Ligue 1 giants PSG had also explored the signing.
Osimhen has since flown out of the traps in Turkey, racking up two goals and two assists in his opening three appearances for Galatasaray, but there is mounting speculation that the 25-year-old could soon be on the move again.
According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Galatasaray are keen to sign Osimhen on a permanent basis from Napoli – but the Super Lig champions are likely to face stiff competition from Chelsea.
Osimhen’s €130million (£109m) release clause ceased to be active when he joined Galatasaray on loan and the forward will be available for just €81m (£68m) in the winter. This figure will drop again to €75m (£63m) next summer.
The reduced £68m buyout clause will not be valid for Serie A clubs in January and Chelsea could capitalise on the situation when the January transfer window opens for business.
The report claims Osimhen is ‘still very interested’ in signing for the Blues, so much so that he is ‘considering the possibility of making the move’ in three months’ time.
If Osimhen were to secure a £68m switch to Chelsea in the upcoming window, a fee of £63 would go to Napoli, while Galatasaray would receive the remaining £5m.
The Nigeria international still has two years remaining on his current contract in Naples.
Osimhen had been viewed as a potential long-term solution up front for Chelsea in the wake of Nicolas Jackson’s mixed debut season at Stamford Bridge, in which the Senegalese scored 17 goals in 44 appearances.
However, Jackson has silenced his doubters with a strong start to the new campaign, notching up four goals and three assists in the Premier League, with Enzo Maresca’s men sitting fourth in the table.
The likes of Samu Omorodion, Jhon Duran, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres were also linked with Chelsea across the summer transfer window.
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