Chelsea handed Osimhen transfer lifeline

Just three days after English Premier League side, Chelsea, were dealt a heavy blow in their pursuit of Victor Osimhen, after Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, claimed that the Nigeria international was about to sign a new contract at the Serie A club, Italian transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, has offered some hopes in his latest report, The PUNCH reports.

News of Osimhen joining Chelsea had been making the rounds with the London club reportedly showing serious interest in signing the striker as early as January.

Last season, he scored 31 goals across all competitions as Napoli ended their wait for a Serie A title after a 33-year hiatus.

His impressive performances saw a host of clubs interested in his service during the summer but the Naples-based club managed to hold onto their star.

Recently, De Laurentiis, while addressing reporters, asserted that Osimhen was on the verge of signing a contract extension at Napoli that was proposed last summer.

The Napoli boss comments left some Chelsea fans devastated as they had hoped of signing the Nigerian, who recently said that club’s legend, Didier Drogba, was his idol, with the Ivorian also picking the Nigerian striker as his favourite active footballer.

However, according to Romano, Blues fans should be optimistic as Osimhen’s future still hangs ambiguously in the balance.

Although a new contract at Napoli remains on the table for Osimhen, Romano states in his exclusive daily briefing that options remain “all open.”

Osimhen, who ended in eighth position in the 2023 Ballon d’Or award in Paris in October, on Monday night was named the Italian Footballers’ Association Footballer of The Year for his stellar showing with the Neopolitans last season.