Chelsea have reportedly indicated that they are prepared to pay the €120m (£103.3m) release clause in the contract of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer.
On the back of taking home the Capocannoniere as the top scorer in Napoli’s triumphant 2022-23 Serie A season, the Super Eagles striker was persistently linked with an exit from the Partenopei.
All of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and clubs in Saudi Arabia were considered realistic contenders for Osimhen’s signature, but Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis was after a nine-figure sum for his star man.
As a result, Osimhen’s potential suitors moved on to other targets, and the former Lille man has since signed a new contract in Naples, which runs until the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, in order to offer Osimhen an exit route while ensuring his value is protected, Napoli supposedly agreed to insert a release clause into his new deal, which currently stands at €120m (£103.3m).
According to Il Mattino – via Calcio Napoli 24 – Chelsea have not been put off by Osimhen’s renewal and substantial release clause, and the Blues are preparing to trigger that option in the summer transfer window.
