Chelsea are not prepared to pay Victor Osimhen’s release clause, as Napoli are not ready to budge down on their demands for the striker.
According to HITC, there is an apparent impasse between Chelsea and Napoli about Victor Osimhen’s asking price. The Blues are not ready to trigger the Nigerian’s massive release clause, as Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis is not willing to accept anything lower, including instalments for his star attacker.
Chelsea not paying Victor Osimhen’s release clause
Victor Osimhen signed a new deal around the turn of the year, which consisted of a release clause worth a reported €130 million. Back then, the decision to pen a new contract seemed logical, as many expected a host of clubs to come in and trigger the Nigerian’s release clause to take him away from the dethroned Italian champions.
However, that has not been the case, although there are credible reports that many clubs have held talks with Aurelio De Laurentiis for the striker. He has seen links to Arsenal and Saudi Arabia, while PSG has strongly considered the Nigerian to replace the departing Kylian Mbappe in Paris.
Apart from the Middle Eastern sides, there are fewer chances that Arsenal or PSG will look to pay anything closer to the release clause. Chelsea are in the same boat, as they are not prepared to trigger his release clause to sign the striker.
Fabrizio Romano recently stated there were no negotiations between Chelsea and Napoli, as the main culprit might have been the asking price. The report also states that Napoli are unwilling to accept the entire fee in instalments, something the Blues might have been reportedly open to.
Chelsea looking at other strikers?
Chelsea are open to bringing a new striker in the summer, as a No.9 seems like their priority area to strengthen. With Osimhen unlikely to join the Blues, they are already looking at alternatives like Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko
There are doubts about whether Sesko will join, considering how strong the links to Arsenal have grown. However, Chelsea have a history of hijacking important deals at the last minute, something they could even try with the Sesko transfer.
