Chelsea target Victor Osimhen ‘not a package to be shipped away’ as agent dismisses Saudi link

Plus: Chelsea’s list of unwanted players and where they could move in the final week of the transfer window

Victor Osimhen’s agent has seemingly dismissed the possibility of the Napoli striker moving to Saudi Arabia this summer, saying that the 25-year-old still has “much to do in Europe”.
As reported by Telegraph Sport last week, Chelsea are hoping to find a way of adding Osimhen to their squad before the transfer window closes later this month.
The imminent departure of Romelu Lukau to Napoli, in a deal worth an initial £25 million, has opened the door for Chelsea to make their move in the coming days.
Osimhen’s apparent rejection of a transfer to Saudi Arabia will help Chelsea’s cause, although the financial package required to sign him is believed to be large.
In a statement issued following reported interest from Al-Ahli, Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda said: “Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed with mutual satisfaction. He made history and when there were major offers (also this year) we always accepted the club’s decisions.
“It is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African footballer of the year, eighth at the Ballon d’Or, he still has so much to do in Europe. There is need [for] respect and balance.”
Osimhen has been a long-term target for Chelsea, with Telegraph Sport reporting in November last year that he was the club’s preferred candidate for the centre-forward position.
Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea head coach, confirmed last week that they would attempt to sign a central striker before the end of the window. “If we have the chance to bring in a nine that can help us and make the difference, then we are going to try,” Maresca said.
Osimhen has scored 48 goals in all competitions in his last two campaigns at Napoli, and is widely regarded as one of the leading strikers in world football. In the 2022-23 season, he played a key role in Napoli winning their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen comes as they consider a late move for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho, with hopes that United could be interested in a swap deal involving Raheem Sterling.
Sterling is one of at least a dozen unwanted players at Chelsea who the club are hoping to either sell or loan before the end of the window.
Stripped of his number and no longer part of first-team training, Sterling is the highest-profile member of Chelsea’s team of outcasts. He has been mentioned as a possible makeweight in a deal involving Sancho. A move to Saudi Arabia is not currently on the cards.
England international Chilwell has been told he can leave Chelsea. As with Sterling, could he go the other way as part of a deal with United for Sancho? United have issues at left-back due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Exiled from the first-team set-up, Chalobah has also been stripped of his squad number and encouraged to find a move elsewhere. Telegraph Sport reported earlier this month that Crystal Palace are interested in the 25-year-old.
The Belgium striker is heading to Napoli, with a deal in the process of being finalised. The move is set to cost an initial fee of around £25 million.
Bournemouth are showing interest in Kepa, who became the most expensive goalkeeper in history when he joined Chelsea for £71 million in 2018. Kepa spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, making 20 appearances.
Ipswich Town were close to signing Broja on loan but that move is thought to be in danger of breaking down. The 22-year-old has played for Chelsea, Southampton and Fulham in the Premier League but is running out of time to secure a transfer away from Stamford Bridge.
In recent months Leicester City and Everton have both been linked with moves for Fofana, who has also had interest from Europe. Fofana spent the second half of last season on loan at Burnley, where he scored four goals in 15 appearances.
Chelsea spent £17 million to sign Washington, 19, in August last year. He has made only three senior appearances for the club, however, and is currently not in the plans of head coach Enzo Maresca. A loan seems likely.
Signed for £13 million last summer, Angelo spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Strasbourg but did not score in any of his 24 appearances for the club. According to reports in Brazil, Turkish club Besiktas want to sign him on loan.
Finland international Bergstrom could be set for another loan move, potentially in the Football League. He played for Peterborough United in 2022-23 and then moved to Swedish side Brommapojkarna on loan earlier this year.
Another academy graduate, Anjorin is reportedly close to joining Italian side Empoli. He spent last season on loan at Portsmouth.
Matos, 19, has been linked with a move to France, with Lens reported to be among the interested teams.
England youth international Vale spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, making 47 appearances in all competitions. Another loan in the Football League seems likely.