Though reports of a deal for the now 25-year-old striker Victor Osimhen are hardly new, it is unlikely that a deal will be completed this month, even if the rumors would like to keep us on the edge of our seats.
A deal is “more likely to gather pace in the summer,” according to the Daily Mail, even though Osimhen is “open” to joining and our need for improvement at the position is “immediate.” But with his current commitments at the Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen isn’t even available right now, nor is our first-choice striker, Nicolas Jackson. (Senegal and Nigeria might play each other in the tournament’s knockout stages, which begin this weekend.)
Although there is a release clause of approximately £100 million in Osimhen’s new contract with Napoli, which may help us avoid having to negotiate with Di Laurentiis & Co., Chelsea does appear to be acting more prudently and sensibly in the transfer market for the first time under the new ownership and direction. (At least thus far…)
There isn’t much of a competitive reason to move quickly in this situation because other teams aren’t likely to outbid us for Osimhen until the summer. (In particular, if we can strengthen in the latter part of the campaign and perhaps even make it to Europe.)
It would be wonderful if we could stop passing up “big chances” in the interim.
