- Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna has supported Conte’s claims about the complex situation surrounding Osimhen’s potential departure
- Talks between Chelsea and Napoli were held in London, but negotiations are reportedly "blocked"
- Former Chelsea stars John Obi-Mikel and Didier Drogba have been in contact with Osimhen to persuade him to move to Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s ambition to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been met with huge resistance as Napoli's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, confirmed that the situation around the transfer is "blocked."
Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had previously highlighted the complications surrounding the deal, and Manna’s recent comments have only validated the notion that Osimhen’s move to Stamford Bridge might not be as straightforward as fans had hoped.
Nigerian Osimhen transfer currently “blocked”- Manna affirms
Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen is no secret. The Blues have been monitoring the striker, who was instrumental in Napoli’s Serie A title-winning campaign during the 2022/23 season, scoring 26 goals in 32 league appearances. Even in the following season, despite being hampered by injuries, Osimhen managed to net 15 goals in 25 matches, solidifying his reputation as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards. However, the striker’s desire to leave Napoli has sparked widespread speculation about his future, with Premier League clubs, particularly Chelsea, keen to bring him on board.
Negotiations between Chelsea and Napoli have been ongoing, with Manna reportedly travelling to London for talks. However, as Conte pointed out, the situation remains far from resolved.
In a recent press conference, Conte stated, "I will not talk about the players who are not part of the Napoli squad. You all know full well the Osimhen situation was already there when I arrived and will be dealt with exclusively by the club.
“I did not get into the situation. You all know that the transfer market is very complicated and [the deal is] currently blocked. I cannot say any more than that."
Manna echoed Conte’s sentiments, acknowledging the complexities surrounding the transfer, “It’s an objective fact, what the coach said, the situation is blocked. Victor is an important player, with an important value and conditions. His desire is clear. We tried to maintain the integrity of the squad at this moment. We are not the only club in this situation and we’ll see what happens over the next 10 days.”
While Osimhen’s desire to leave Napoli is evident, Manna stressed that the club is not in a hurry to sell.
She emphasised that the player’s value and contract, which runs for another two seasons, means that Napoli is not under pressure to make a quick sale.
“At this time, it is not right to say what sensations there are. We are working with his entourage to find the best solution. As we said, he is an important player, so it’s not that we can just find him anywhere [to play]. He is under contract for another two seasons, so clearly if we don’t find a solution by August 30, we’ll have to talk to the player,” she stated.
The uncertainty surrounding Osimhen’s future leaves Chelsea in a tricky position. Although positive discussions were held between the two clubs earlier in the week, the outcome remains uncertain.
While some insiders believe that Chelsea is leading the race for Osimhen, there are reports suggesting that the striker might prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain, which he reportedly sees as a "dream" opportunity.
Adding to the intrigue, former Chelsea legends John Obi-Mikel and Didier Drogba have reportedly been in contact with Osimhen, trying to persuade him to choose Stamford Bridge over other options.
However, with the transfer window ticking down, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea can hurriedly navigate through the obstacles and secure one of Europe’s most sought-after talents.
Victor Osimhen hands in transfer request amid interest from top clubs
Previously, TheRadar reported that Victor Osimhen had been the subject of transfer speculation this summer, with rumours linking him to a move away from Napoli.
New Napoli manager Antonio Conte identified Romelu Lukaku as a potential replacement for Victor Osimhen, a striker Conte previously relied on heavily during their time together at Inter Milan.
Conte's preference for Lukaku’s physicality and goal-scoring prowess stands out, making Osimhen a significant doubt in his plans.
