Chelsea have reportedly joined the growing list of clubs interested in signing Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, with Turkish champions Galatasaray said to be demanding €150 million for the Nigerian forward.
Fresh transfer speculation emerged after Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle explained Osimhen’s absence from Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal, suggesting that ongoing transfer discussions influenced the decision.
According to Chelle, the striker was left out of the squad to allow him focus on matters concerning his future, stating that players whose minds are not fully on football may struggle to perform at their best.
However, Osimhen quickly dismissed the transfer rumours, clarifying that the coach’s comments had been misunderstood and exaggerated.
In a post shared on his Instagram page, the 27-year-old revealed that he had spoken directly with Chelle and insisted that the coach meant no harm or controversy with his remarks.
Osimhen also stressed that Chelle has great respect for Galatasaray and regularly follows the club’s matches, urging fans and the media to ignore the speculation surrounding his future.
The Super Eagles media team later issued a clarification regarding Chelle’s comments, but reports linking the striker with a move away from Turkey have continued to gather momentum.
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English Premier League giants Chelsea are the latest club to be linked with the prolific forward. According to Turkish newspaper Sabah, the London club has already made initial contact regarding a possible transfer and could submit an official offer during the summer transfer window.
Galatasaray, however, are reportedly unwilling to negotiate below their €150 million valuation of the player. The Turkish side signed Osimhen from Italian club Napoli for €75 million last summer and are determined to protect their investment.
Manchester United have also been strongly linked with the Nigerian international, with reports suggesting that he remains one of the club’s top striker targets ahead of the new season.
Despite the transfer rumours, Osimhen enjoyed another impressive campaign with Galatasaray. The striker scored 15 league goals and provided five assists in 22 appearances as the club successfully defended the Turkish Super Lig title.
He also made a significant impact in the UEFA Champions League, registering seven goals and three assists as Galatasaray advanced to the Round of 16.
With Europe’s top clubs monitoring his situation closely, Osimhen’s future is expected to remain one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer.
