Transfer insider Ben Jacobs believes that clubs might recruit the Nigerian striker for €120 million in the summer, giving Victor Osimhen’s suitors a boost in their intentions to sign the Napoli player.
Chelsea, along with a number of other elite clubs, are seeking a new striker and have their sights set on the 24-year-old. As his contract negotiations drag on, Osimhen is anticipated to leave Napoli next summer as a result of a social media dispute.
Osimhen is highly regarded on the European circuit and commands a large price. However, Jacob states that if the Nigerian does not sign a new contract with the Serie A champions before the end of the current season, his price tag could be reduced.
“The indications have always been from Napoli sources that it is very unlikely he will be available in January. So then Chelsea, like others, I suppose, faces a conundrum: do you move in January or do you wait for Osimhen in the summer?
“And I think if Chelsea felt like they could get Osimhen, then they would wait. By next summer, the price will have dropped a little bit unless, obviously, Osimhen signs any kind of new deal at Napoli,” said Jacobs.
Osimhen’s contract with Napoli expires in 2025, but no renewal has been agreed upon. The Italian giants are said to be asking for €160 million for the 24-year-old, which Jacobs believes is negotiable.
“Aurelio De Laurentiis has always tried for about €150m or €160m, and the reason for that is because he argues they paid Lille €80m for the player. And I’d say he argues that because the numbers are a bit contentious. It includes the payment upfront, which was maybe €50 million, plus bonuses, plus player swaps,” said Jacobs.
“That is how Napoli calculated the deal is worth €80 million, and therefore De Laurentiis has always argued in the past that because of Osimhen’s form, and I think he was eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings, they need double that number, which if they got it would be €160 million.Flash forward to next summer; the number will be more like €120 million in likelihood, which is about £100 million, and in the current market for a player like Osimhen, that is going to tempt quite a few clubs. Chelsea included.”
In the midst of doubts over his future, Osimhen has had a strong start to the 2023–24 season, netting six goals in eight Serie A outings before suffering an injury.
The Nigeria international is nearing the end of his recovery and hopes to be ready for the match against Atalanta on November 25 or, at the very least, the Champions League game against Real Madrid four days later.
