Chelsea has received a major boost in their pursuit of Victor Osimhen after Napoli director Giovanni Manna confirmed that the Nigerian striker has requested to leave the Italian club. According to reports, Manna disclosed that Osimhen is eager to move on, which aligns with Chelsea’s ongoing efforts to strengthen their attack.
The 25-year-old Osimhen has been a prime target for several European giants, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool, thanks to his outstanding performances with Napoli. However, his €130 million release clause has deterred many potential suitors, with Chelsea being the primary club still actively pursuing him.
Manna disclosed, “Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go. The situation is clear; there were already chances for his exit last summer. We will see in the next 20 days.”
Osimhen’s absence from Napoli’s pre-season fixtures and their Coppa Italia match against Modena has further fueled speculation about his future. Manna commented, “Victor is a player who wants to leave, and there was already a situation in place last year. We are calm because we have players in the squad ready to replace him.”
Napoli’s confirmation could pave the way for discussions with Chelsea, who are also exploring a move for Romelu Lukaku. Despite the possibility of a swap deal, Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has ruled out any loan or swap arrangements this season.
Osimhen, who joined Napoli from Lille in the summer of 2020 for a record fee of €70 million plus €10 million in bonuses, has played a crucial role in Napoli’s recent achievements, including their Serie A title in the 2022/23 season.