Transfer: Chelsea closing in on Osimhen, reaches personal terms despite financial concerns

 

Premier League giants Chelsea are reportedly edging closer to securing the services of Napoli FC striker Victor Osimhen, having reached personal terms with the player, even amidst apprehensions about potentially breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

The Blues are on the lookout for a prolific striker and have set their sights on Osimhen to bolster their attacking options.

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti reports that the Nigerian star has agreed to personal terms with Chelsea, expressing a keen interest in a move to Stamford Bridge during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Osimhen, who made the switch from French Ligue 1 club Lille to Italian champions Napoli FC for a fee in the region of €75 million, could now command a fee in the range of €120 million to €130 million, given his impressive performances during his time in Naples.

The potential addition of Osimhen could provide a significant boost to Chelsea’s attacking lineup, especially in light of their recent struggles to find the back of the net despite substantial investments in the squad last summer.

However, there remain lingering concerns about Financial Fair Play regulations and whether Chelsea will need to offload players before finalizing a deal for Osimhen.

To address these concerns, Chelsea will need to carefully manage their financial position. The club is expected to soon publish their accounts for the 2022/23 season, with estimates indicating they may fall short of the Profit and Sustainability threshold by £37 million.

While this suggests a level of financial stability, challenges could arise, particularly in the 2023/24 season. Therefore, Chelsea’s transfer dealings leading up to the end of the financial year in June could be influenced by their ability to generate revenue through player sales.

One player frequently linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge is Conor Gallagher, with clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur reportedly showing interest and a potential transfer fee of up to £50 million being mentioned.

Selling academy graduates like Gallagher could significantly bolster Chelsea’s finances, as these players come at no transfer cost, resulting in pure profit for the club.