Chelsea and Manchester United Eye Nigerian Star as Barcelona Explores Alternatives
In a surprising turn of events, both Chelsea and Manchester United appear ready to ramp up their pursuit of Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, despite ongoing discussions between his representatives and Barcelona. The 26-year-old, currently on loan at Galatasaray, is widely expected to leave Napoli on a permanent deal this summer, and his next destination could very well be in the Premier League.
Osimhen’s current contract features a hefty €75 million release clause. While Galatasaray had previously been linked with a permanent move for him, recent reports suggest the Turkish club is now shifting its focus toward AC Milan star Alvaro Morata. Meanwhile, negotiations with Barcelona are reportedly in progress, but there’s a twist—Barcelona’s boss Hansi Flick has voiced concerns about whether Osimhen would be good value for money. This reluctance from the Catalan side has unexpectedly given Chelsea and Manchester United an opening after their failed attempts to sign him in 2024.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano and reports from El Nacional, Osimhen’s representatives have shown interest in a move to Camp Nou. However, Flick seems to be more enthusiastic about alternative targets such as Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who are being eyed as potential successors to Robert Lewandowski.
The shifting priorities at Barcelona could prove to be a major boost for the Premier League clubs. Manchester United, who have been linked with Osimhen for some time amid concerns over Rasmus Hojlund’s goal-scoring form, are said to be preparing for a renewed, focused effort to secure his signature. At the same time, Chelsea is reported to be reconsidering their approach, especially after coming close to finalizing a deal last summer. The Blues are also tracking promising prospects like Evan Ferguson and Liam Delap as potential alternatives to Nicolas Jackson.
As the summer transfer window heats up, the race for one of Europe’s most promising forwards intensifies. With multiple clubs vying for his services and a transfer deadline looming, all eyes will be on how this high-stakes saga unfolds in the coming weeks.
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