Victor Osimhen is the star name to keep an eye on as the chance is rapidly disappearing to complete a permanent summer transfer before the FIFA Club World Cup begins.
The Nigeria international spent the 2024/2025 campaign on loan with Galatasaray in Turkey – netting 37 goals – but only after Chelsea failed to get a deal across the line last season. He remains a player of interest but, as reported by football.london, there are concerns over wages that would be demanded.
As is the cruel nature of the sport, that could pave the way for Osimhen to sign for a direct rival, for the upcoming Club World Cup’s grand £97m prize.
However, not all is simple heading into the final three days of business before the tournament in the United States gets underway.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal have now informed Osimhen’s parent club – Napoli – that they are willing to meet their €75m (£63m) demand for the striker’s transfer.
This comes after Sky Sports Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio suggested that the Saudi club were €5m (£4m) short of the asking price in their initial rejected attempt.
They are so intent on getting the deal wrapped-up that they have booked a medical, Ben Jacobs saying this is in Paris, even while they are still waiting on the player to personally agree to the move.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has not headed to the French capital, as he has instead landed in his Nigerian homeland, as per another update from Romano.
No timescale has been provided for the man in question to make a final decision – but it is said that the clubs are pushing for a conclusion this weekend.
To play in the Club World Cup, a transfer must be signed off before the conclusion of this current window on June 10. Al-Hilal and Chelsea have been drawn on opposite sides of the tournament tree, meaning they could only meet one another in the final.
Enzo Maresca has increased his own firepower already – with the arrivals of Liam Delap and Dario Essugo – with it reported attentions have turned to striking a rapid agreement with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of England Under-21 winger Jamie Gittens.
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