Chelsea and Arsenal have decided not to pursue Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer, according to recent reports.
Napoli had anticipated that Osimhen would depart this summer. Aurelio de Laurentiis, the club’s president, hinted that Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League clubs were possible destinations for the talented striker.
However, The Athletic has revealed that both EPL clubs will not be making a bid for Osimhen, who has been a target for several top clubs.
Chelsea’s decision is based on three main reasons. Firstly, the club is unwilling to pay the hefty €130 million (£110.8 million) release clause that Napoli has set for Osimhen.
Secondly, Chelsea is concerned about the striker’s injury history, which includes a hamstring issue that saw him miss six Serie A matches this season. Finally, there are doubts about whether Osimhen would fit into the tactical plans of Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca.
Despite these concerns, Osimhen has been impressive, scoring 15 goals in Serie A this past season. In an interview in January, Osimhen expressed that he had already planned his next career move, indicating that he is ready for a new challenge.
He told CBS Sports, “Of course, when you’re one of the hottest strikers in the world you expect this type of thing, the EPL it’s one of the biggest and best leagues in the world.”
