'Not an U20 player' - Transfer guru explains why Chelsea are not yet ready to make an offer for Osimhen

Chelsea's efforts to strengthen their forward line for the 2024-2025 Premier League season have led them to consider various strikers, including Napoli star Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian striker has also garnered interest from multiple European clubs, including PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United, all of whom are in the market for a striker ahead of the upcoming campaign.

However, the Blues' focus seems to have shifted towards younger talents, posing a potential stumbling block to Osimhen's transfer.

According to Italian transfer market expert, Luca Marchetti, Osimhen's age appears to be a significant consideration for Chelsea, who are currently prioritizing signings of promising talents, even if it means paying substantial fees.

"For Osimhen we know that there is a clause, but someone needs to arrive and bring the sum requested by Napoli," Marchetti told TMW Radio.

"Chelsea is not ready to make offers at the moment, they want to sign young players even by paying them a lot.

"Osimhen is not an under 20 player, this holds back Chelsea who have extraordinary financial resources."

He added: "A negotiation with Lukaku as a possible counterpart could be useful for Napoli but I don't think it is feasible.

"We need to see who Osimhen wants, PSG is looking for Kvara and therefore wants a winger, not a striker.

"At the moment it is early, then there will be the market for attackers even if we will have to see the numbers.

"Osimhen can never be a problem, but we have taken it for granted that he can leave. I remain convinced that he will leave, but an important offer will have to arrive.

"His permanence cannot be ruled out by postponing the transfer by a year."

This development casts uncertainty over Osimhen's future, despite his contractual ties with Napoli, where he signed a new deal in December 2023.

Osimhen faced challenges in matching or surpassing his performance from the 2022/2023 campaign, during which he propelled Napoli to the Scudetto title.

In the recently concluded season, he netted 15 goals and contributed 3 assists in 25 league appearances as Napoli secured a tenth-place finish in the league.

 Initially selected to represent Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin Republic and South Africa in June, Osimhen has withdrawn due to an injury that is expected to sideline him for approximately four to five weeks.

Adeyemi Adewale

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