It seems Chelsea still has money to spend, regardless of Financial Fair Play (FFP).
Football Insider, a British internet outlet specializing in soccer, reported an interesting piece of news on Tuesday. Chelsea are reportedly making a move for Victor Osimhen (Napoli).
The Blues have not lost interest in Osimhen since last summer’s transfer window. At the time, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis made the player a no-sale, saying he would never be allowed to leave the club alongside Hvitsa Kvartachelia.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and other clubs with deep pockets have all been linked with Osimhen. They all have one thing in common: they are in need of striker reinforcements.
Interestingly, Al Hilal, a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund (PIF), has been flirting with Osimhen. Al-Hilal, which is under the control of the Saudi Arabian PIF, has been on a star-hunting spree, claiming that it can afford the £173 million transfer fee set by Napoli.
The panicked Napoli tried to appease Osimhen by saying they would try to re-sign him. Coincidentally, the tide turned after Osimhen missed a penalty kick in a 0-0 draw against Bologna in the fifth round of the 2023-24 Italian Serie A on May 25.
Napoli posted a photo of a coconut composited onto Osimhen’s body on the club’s social media account on Nov. 27. “I am a coconut,” the club wrote in a racist post. “Give me a penalty,” the post read, along with a picture of Osimhen in action. Mocking his performance. 메이저놀이터
Outraged, Osimhen’s camp threatened to take legal action. Napoli released an official statement on the 29th saying, “It was never our intention to mock Osimhen. Lighthearted and playful expressions are often used on social media,” the club said in a statement, adding that it did not mean to criticize or mock.
Osimhen was Napoli’s top scorer last season as they won their first league title in 33 years. Despite the departure of Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), who contributed to the defense, Osimen’s image as a protector of Napoli has also endeared him to fans. Everywhere in Napoli, Osimhen was worshipped as a Diego Maradona-level player.
But the lack of an apology in Napoli’s explanation fueled Osimhen’s anger, which was already mixed with irritation at the club. His tactical disagreements with head coach Rudi Garcia were compounding his struggles to get playing time.
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