Premier League giants Chelsea FC have reportedly joined the race to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray, with the Turkish side demanding a staggering €150 million for the forward.
According to reports, Chelsea are among several top European clubs monitoring the situation of the Super Eagles striker ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
The development comes amid recent comments from the head coach of the Nigerian national team, Eric Chelle, who suggested that Osimhen was left out of friendly matches against Poland and Portugal due to ongoing transfer discussions.
Chelle explained that the decision was taken to avoid distractions during a sensitive period in the player’s career.
“Victor Osimhen will not be in our friendly matches against Poland and Portugal because there may be a possibility of a club change. Therefore, I preferred him to stay at home. If your mind is not 100% here, going out on the field to play does not create a good situation,” Chelle said.
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However, Osimhen has since rejected the interpretation of the coach’s comments, insisting that they were misrepresented and taken out of context.
The situation has further fueled speculation over the striker’s future, with top European clubs expected to continue monitoring developments closely as the transfer window approaches.
Osimhen remains one of the most sought-after forwards in world football following his impressive performances in recent seasons.