Chelsea to make bold move by replacing Senegalese forward with ace Nigerian striker

• Chelsea could submit a £40 million bid, but “no negotiations are ongoing at present”
• Osimhen has scored two goals in three games since joining Galatasaray on loan
• Chelsea remains interested in Victor Osimhen, eyeing a potential January transfer

Chelsea’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen remains in the spotlight, but the pursuit of the Nigerian striker could continue in the January transfer window. 

The 25-year-old striker was close to joining the Blues during the summer deadline day, only to make a surprising switch to Galatasaray on loan. With his contract at Napoli expiring next July, Chelsea may still reignite their interest, but for now, they must wait.

Osimhen has wasted no time making an impact in Turkey, scoring twice in his first three games for Galatasaray. Nonetheless, his long-term future is uncertain. 

Popular sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea may launch a £40 million bid for the forward in January, although “no negotiations are ongoing at present.” Behind the scenes, it looks like Chelsea seems to be waiting for the right moment to strike.

If the Blues succeed in bringing Osimhen to Stamford Bridge, it could spell a change in fortunes for their current Senegalese striker, Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese forward, signed from Villarreal for £32 million last summer, has enjoyed a good start to his Premier League career, scoring four goals in six games. 

Jackson’s performance has already eclipsed Didier Drogba’s debut season at Chelsea, where the Ivorian legend scored ten goals in the 2004/05 campaign. Jackson not only scored 14 goals in his first season, but he also provided five assists, outshining Drogba’s debut season contributions. 

As such, replacing Jackson with Osimhen could seem premature, especially when the Nigerian striker has yet to test himself in the English top flight. Despite his outstanding record in Serie A, 76 goals in 133 matches for Napoli, Osimhen’s move to the Premier League remains an open question.

Galatasaray’s vice president, İbrahim Hatipoğlu, recently addressed the growing rumours surrounding Victor Osimhen's potential January move, stating, 

“There is no possibility of Osimhen leaving the team in January. We are thinking of having him play with us next season as well.” 

His statement puts a temporary halt to the speculation, confirming the club’s intent to keep the Nigerian striker for the foreseeable future.

While Osimhen’s possible arrival could shake up Chelsea’s attacking options, the forward remains focused on his current performances for Galatasaray, both in domestic league matches and on the European stage.

Osimhen becomes most-followed Nigerian footballer on IG, here are the 9 most followed after him

Previously, TheRadar reported that Osimhen’s growing social media presence can be attributed to his electrifying performances for his new club, especially his assist run in his last three games. 

After his record-setting loan move to Galatasaray, Osimhen’s follower count surged dramatically, proving his growing popularity among fans around the world. Within two weeks of the transfer, the 25-year-old saw his Instagram followers increase by 848,000, making him Nigeria’s leading most-followed personality in football.