Chelsea have reportedly entered the race to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, with Turkish champions Galatasaray said to be demanding a staggering €150 million for the Super Eagles forward.
Fresh transfer speculation emerged after Nigeria coach Eric Chelle revealed that Osimhen was left out of the squad for upcoming friendlies against Poland and Portugal due to a possible club move.
“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.
The 27-year-old immediately dismissed reports linking his absence to transfer negotiations.
"I just got off the phone with Coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview,” he wrote on Instagram.
"Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games and never intended to create any controversy. I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculation surrounding this matter.”
According to Turkish newspaper Sabah, Chelsea have moved to initiate contact over a potential summer deal, with the London club expected to make official attempts during the transfer window. Galatasaray, however, have made their position clear, with the club’s management unwilling to entertain any offer below €150m for a player they purchased from Napoli for €75m last summer.
The Nigerian striker continued his fine form in Turkey, delivering an outstanding season for Galatasaray. Osimhen scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 22 league matches, helping the club secure another Super Lig crown. His influence extended to Europe as well, where he recorded seven goals and three assists in the UEFA Champions League, guiding the Turkish giants to the knockout stages.
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