Chelsea not scared by Arsenal target’s new nine-figure release clause

Chelsea are prepared to trigger Victor Osimhen’s release clause next summer

As per Italian outlet Il Mattino [via Calcio Napoli 24], (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are ready to trigger the Victor Osimhen release clause in his Napoli contract and will pay €120 million (£103.3 million).

This will make the striker Chelsea’s third-most expensive player behind Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez and will continue the tradition of another massive investment under Todd Boehly.

Osimhen has been the Blues top target since last summer as they look to end their goalscoring problems, which under Mauricio Pochettino have changed significantly.

Under the Argentine boss, who has elevated the team’s play to new heights, the Blues have reverted to their clinical manner in front of the net. Osimhen’s arrival, nevertheless, will make the Blues a more adventurous team in front of the goal.

The Nigerian striker helped Napoli beat Scudetto last season and netted 31 goals in 39 matches in all competitions. He has continued with the same trend, but the striker hasn’t been playing frequently due to injury.

The former LOSC Lille forward inked a new deal that will keep him at Napoli in 2026, with the club also including a €120 million release clause in his contract.

However, to make his signing, the Blues will have to offload a few players and comply with their Financial Fair Play rule, and they now cannot hand players more than five-year contracts after the Premier League ban on beyond five-year deals.

The arrival of Osimhen will be exceptional for us next season, thus this will be a significant signing. We’ve already made enough progress to be able to compete with any major Premier League team. Our biggest issue last season was not scoring enough goals.

However, we have improved this campaign and things are now looking upwards. We still need to improve our clinical play because we miss some easy opportunities, but if we bring in Osimhen—a player with a deadly goal-scoring eye—we will be a formidable team that will be in the running for every trophy the following season.

More Chelsea News

• Barcelona’s Joao Felix makes throwback to Chelsea stint in 2024 New Year post
• Europa League side unimpressed by Chelsea loanee, plan to send him packing in January
• Pundit outlines key differences in the play styles of contrasting Chelsea stars

However, before his signing, there are plenty of things we need to keep in mind. We will have to make room for his addition and comply with FFP because we have spent a lot and cannot do that again, but we may hear more such reports, so let’s see if it’s true or not.