Chelsea could be handed Victor Osimhen blow if £67m transfer completed

As long as Victor Osimhen's fate is not settled there remains the possibility of a Premier League transfer - specifically to Chelsea - albeit those chances are growing slimmer by the day.

The 26-year-old, officially of Napoli still, is reportedly the subject of a huge push from Galatasaray for his permanent signing. The Turkish club with whom he spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan are said to have struck an agreement for a permanent move this summer.

This chain of events may not have occurred had Chelsea been successful in their own push for Osimhen 12 months ago.

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football.london understands that the Blues submitted an offer in the final days of last summer's transfer window, wanting a loan with an obligation-to-buy clause. Napoli would not settle and time ran out, leaving the striker with Turkey as his only option to get out of Naples.

One watchful eye has been kept on Osimhen's progress since. He managed 37 goals in 41 appearances, winning the title with Galatasaray and also their domestic cup.

Returning to his parent club to enter the final year of his contract, there was the possibility of revived interest but Napoli have still been holding out for the full value of the Nigerian's €75m (£67m) release clause. Galatasaray seem to have worked out a structure to pay that in instalments rather than via the clause itself.

And the Blues have not stepped in to contest any of this. As football.london additionally reported, the player's huge wage demands would have been unsustainable in the current model being implemented.

Enzo Maresca has instead added Liam Delap (£30m) and Joao Pedro (£60m) to his squad to supplement Nicolas Jackson.

Whilst Osimhen may be entering the so-called prime age of a striker, those three options at Chelsea's disposal are valued for their room to develop over the next seasons combined with the talent they already show.

What that trio also have is the availability to play without hindrance in the upcoming 2025/26 campaign - something Osimhen personally can't boast.

Were he to move to Stamford Bridge this summer, the striker could have ended up missing several games for the club this season if he is called up to the Nigerian national team for the next edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in winter.

The tournament officially begins on December 21 in Morocco and will be contested through to the final on January 18, 2026.

Chelsea have a trip to Newcastle United scheduled for December 20 as things stand, one that Osimhen would have likely missed to be released in time to meet up with his national team. As the reigning African champions, Nigeria typically go far in the tournament, meaning he would more than likely miss up to the next month of action.

During that time Maresca's side would play six Premier League fixtures over the packed festive period, begin their FA Cup campaign and continue with crunch Champions League league phase fixtures.