Chelsea Football Club’s pursuit of Napoli’s prolific striker Victor Osimhen has hit a significant roadblock, with negotiations faltering due to Napoli’s steep £84.5 million valuation and the player’s high wage demands.
As the Blues prepare for the 2025/26 Premier League season, head coach Enzo Maresca has adopted a cautious stance, emphasizing a measured approach to transfers with his statement, “We won’t rush deals.” This development has left Chelsea’s search for a reliable goalscorer in a state of uncertainty, raising questions about the club’s attacking options as they aim to compete at the highest level in both domestic and European competitions.
Osimhen, a 26-year-old Nigerian international, has been a long-standing target for Chelsea, with his goal-scoring prowess making him one of Europe’s most coveted forwards. During his loan spell at Galatasaray in the 2024/25 season, Osimhen showcased his elite-level finishing, netting an impressive 37 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions in the Turkish Süper Lig.
His contributions were instrumental in Galatasaray securing a third consecutive league title and a domestic double, highlighted by a brace in the Turkish Cup final against Trabzonspor. Despite returning to Napoli, where his contract runs until June 2026, Osimhen’s future remains uncertain, with the player reportedly keen to leave the Italian club permanently.
Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen dates back to the summer of 2024, when the club made a late attempt to secure his signature on a season-long loan with an obligation-to-buy clause. However, Napoli’s insistence on a transfer fee close to the £84.5 million release clause, coupled with Osimhen’s reported £211,000-per-week salary demands, proved insurmountable obstacles.
The Blues, under the stewardship of owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, have implemented a stricter wage structure since late 2022, with only a handful of players earning above £200,000 per week. Osimhen’s reluctance to accept a pay cut has further complicated negotiations, as Chelsea are wary of breaking their financial framework to accommodate the striker’s demands.
Enzo Maresca, who has guided Chelsea to UEFA Champions League qualification for the 2025/26 season, has made it clear that the club will not be pressured into hasty decisions. “We want players, but we want them on our terms,” Maresca stated in a press conference, signaling a disciplined approach to recruitment.
This philosophy is evident in Chelsea’s recent transfer activity, which has focused on younger, cost-effective signings with long-term potential. The club has already bolstered its attacking ranks with the acquisitions of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for £30 million and Joao Pedro from Brighton for £50 million. Both players have shown promise, with Delap scoring his first Chelsea goal in a 3-0 Club World Cup victory over Esperance Tunis, and Pedro netting twice against Fluminense in the same competition’s semi-finals. These signings, however, have not entirely quelled the need for a proven, world-class striker like Osimhen to lead the line.
The faltering talks with Napoli have been further complicated by competition from other clubs. Manchester United have reportedly resumed negotiations with Osimhen, while Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal has emerged as a potential destination, with former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo publicly urging Osimhen to consider a move to the Middle East.
Additionally, Galatasaray, where Osimhen thrived on loan, is actively working to secure his signature permanently, aiming to meet Napoli’s £64 million release clause. Reports suggest that Osimhen himself is keen on returning to Istanbul, where he enjoyed a successful and celebrated stint, even taking drastic steps to push for an exit from Napoli.
Chelsea’s current striker situation adds urgency to their transfer deliberations. Nicolas Jackson, the club’s primary No. 9, has shown flashes of potential with 24 Premier League goals and 10 assists over two seasons, but his inconsistency and disciplinary issues—evidenced by a red card against Newcastle United—have raised concerns.
Maresca has acknowledged Jackson’s raw talent but noted his relative inexperience at the top level, describing him as “still learning the ropes.” The recent arrivals of Delap and Pedro provide depth, but neither is seen as a direct replacement for a player of Osimhen’s caliber. Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu, other options in the squad, are not viewed as natural strikers by Maresca, with rumors suggesting both could depart Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.
The financial implications of pursuing Osimhen are significant. Chelsea’s summer spending has already exceeded £200 million, including deals for young talents like Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda, as well as the aforementioned strikers.
To fund a potential move for Osimhen, the club may need to offload players, with goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic linked to a £21.5 million move to Sunderland and others potentially following. Napoli’s reported interest in a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku and Cesare Casadei has resurfaced, though such an arrangement would still require Chelsea to navigate Osimhen’s wage demands and Napoli’s firm stance on the transfer fee.
Maresca’s reluctance to rush deals reflects a broader strategy of building a sustainable squad capable of competing for silverware. Chelsea’s recent success in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final, has boosted confidence, but the Premier League and Champions League present sterner tests.
The club’s fourth-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League season secured Champions League football, but Maresca is aware that a reliable goalscorer could be the difference in challenging for the title. Osimhen’s proven track record—26 goals in 30 Süper Lig matches and a key role in Nigeria’s international setup—makes him an ideal candidate, but the financial and logistical hurdles may force Chelsea to explore alternatives.
As the transfer window progresses, Chelsea face a critical juncture. The club’s ambition to return to the pinnacle of European football hinges on strengthening key areas, with the striker position a top priority. While Osimhen remains a tantalizing prospect, Napoli’s £84.5 million valuation and the player’s wage expectations have cast doubt on the feasibility of a deal.
Maresca’s pragmatic approach suggests that Chelsea will not be held to ransom, but the lack of progress in negotiations leaves the Blues’ attacking plans in limbo. With the 2025/26 season looming, the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Chelsea can secure their marquee signing or pivot to other targets to bolster their frontline.
