Financial fair play set to delay Chelsea move for Super Eagles striker

English Premier League side, Chelsea, are unlikely to make a winter transfer move for Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old was linked with the two-time UEFA Champions League winners all summer, but the Blues were unable to pay his €130m release clause as Napoli stood firm. Instead, the forward joined Turkish Super Lig side, Galatasaray on a season-long loan.

As per Football Insider, Chelsea remain interested in securing the services of the former LOSC Lille man but are unlikely to actively pursue his signature when the transfer window reopens in January. The Blues will have to wait until next summer because of Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules concerns.

Enzo Maresca’s side were keen on signing a world-class striker during the summer to end their struggles in the final third of the pitch and  Osimhen was their primary target, although they were linked with Porto striker, Samu Omorodion.

Nicolas Jackson has not been short of goals for Chelsea this season, but he’s not seen as a forward that’ll score 20 goals per season, which is what the club’s hierarchy are looking for in Osimhen.

A permanent move away from Napoli is likely for Osimhen as he had a break clause worth £68 million inserted in his deal before he headed for  Turkiye.

While everything points towards a move to West London, a potential deal remains far fetched for the Todd Boely’s club because of Financial Fair Play alongside Profit and Sustainability Rules concerns.

They have spent over a billion pounds in acquisition since the American owner took over in 2022, and their books are not balanced, making it difficult for them to sign Osimhen for £68 million and then pay his lofty wages.

With Chelsea unlikely to seal a move, other clubs could try to lure him during January, but there are currently no interest from other top European clubs to make Chelsea worried.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria.

With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience.

He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.