“We were just moments away from getting this deal done” – Ex-Chelsea star on the Blues’ failed pursuit of Victor Osimhen this summer
Chelsea continued their spending spree under new ownership as they signed multiple new players this summer as well. One name that they failed to sign despite multiple links was Victor Osimhen. The striker eventually joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal from Napoli.
Reports suggested that Osimhen was keen to leave Napoli this summer but was refusing to budge on his wage demands. Chelsea were heavily linked with the striker and were also in contact with his representatives but the deal couldn’t go through.
Former Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel has now claimed that Osimhen was very close to joining Stamford Bridge in the summer. He said on his podcast (via Fabrizio Romano):
“Victor Osimhen was very close to joining Chelsea. We were very, very close. We were just moments away from getting this deal done… but it was just some slight issues, slight little problems, that we just couldn’t get over the line.
“The medical couldn’t be done as well… even if we get the deal done, it was too late. But I know exactly where we stopped. If eventually, you know, say, in January or whatever, we have to pick it up again, I know exactly where we are and where we have to start from.”
Also Read: Jadon Sancho reveals reason behind joining Chelsea
John Obi Mikel claims Victor Osimhen wants to join Chelsea
Mikel also claimed that the west London side had reached an agreement with Osimhen’s camp about his wages. However, they couldn’t complete the move due to some minor issues despite the striker wanting to join the club. He added:
“I know what the club offered him. I know where we got to. We finally go to a compromise. It was just some little things, paperwork, medical, and few issues that we just couldn’t get over the line. We didn’t have much time…”.
“I know a lot of people say: oh, Victor Osimhen didn’t want to come to Chelsea! Well, that’s not true… Victor really wanted to come to the club, he still knows he has a lot to prove in Europe. He wants to come to Chelsea”.
“Victor really, really wanted to come to the club, and he had to compromise a lot to come to the middle. We did reach an agreement in terms of the salary, in terms of what he wants… it was just few minor details here and there that we just couldn’t get over the line.”
It remains to be seen if Chelsea will make an attempt to sign Osimhen in the January transfer window given that they didn’t sign any striker. Fabrizio Romano has reported that the striker’s relationship with Napoli is broken and he is unlikely to play for them.
Also Read: Report: Real Madrid Eye Arsenal star William Saliba for 2025 Move