'Chelsea spent N60b for Fernandez' - Transfer expert on why Napoli increased Osimhen's price tag 

Italian transfer market expert Ciro Venerato has suggested that Napoli increased their asking price for Victor Osimhen after Chelsea broke the British transfer record to sign 2022 World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez in the January transfer window. 

The Argentina midfielder joined the Blues on transfer deadline day for a fee of 121 million euros (approximately N60 billion in Nigerian currency), 6.7 million pounds more than the fee Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England star Jack Grealish in August 2021.

The transfer went through after Chelsea paid the release clause in the contract of the former Benfica star. 

Osimhen has seen his stock rise this season with 18 goals in all competitions and on the back of Napoli dominating the Italian Serie A and topping their Champions League group. 

Aside from Chelsea, the Nigeria international has been heavily linked with a transfer to Manchester United who are in the market for a center forward following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. 

"On the trail of the attacker there are two English clubs, waiting to hear some implications from the meeting between Calenda and De Laurentiis. We are talking about Manchester United and Chelsea," Venerato said on Italian television sport programme, La Domenica Sportiva, via Tutto Napoli. 

"Now, however, the novelty is that the attacker's price tag has increased in cost. Napoli's reasoning is the following: if you Chelsea spend 120 million for Fernandez, Osimhen's transfer will cost 160 million and will still be able to grow with the Champions League to be played."

The 24-year-old Osimhen will enter the last two years of his contract with Napoli on July 1, 2023.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com