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Chelsea has reportedly indicated that it’s prepared to pay the €120m (£103.3m) release clause in the contract of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer.
On the back of taking home the Capocannoniere as the top scorer in Napoli’s triumphant 2022-23 Serie A season, the Nigeria international was persistently linked with an exit from the Partenopei.
All of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and clubs in Saudi Arabia were considered realistic contenders for Osimhen’s signature, but Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis was after a nine-figure sum for his star man.
As a result, Osimhen’s potential suitors moved on to other targets, and the former Lille man has since signed a new contract in Naples, which runs until the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, in order to offer Osimhen an exit route while ensuring his value is protected, Napoli supposedly agreed to insert a release clause into his new deal, which currently stands at €120m (£103.3m).
According to Il Mattino – via Calcio Napoli 24 – Chelsea has not been put off by Osimhen’s renewal and substantial release clause, and the Blues are preparing to trigger that option in the summer transfer window.
Napoli would be powerless to prevent Osimhen entering talks with Mauricio Pochettino’s side if the Blues agree to fork out the entirety of his release clause, although the onus would still be on Chelsea to agree personal terms with the 25-year-old.
Osimhen has started the 2023-24 season with a respectable eight goals from 18 games in all competitions, and he is currently away with the Nigeria squad preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations.
