Victor Osimhen transfer theory given after rejected offer amid Chelsea links

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has shared a theory that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is ‘waiting’ for his former club after turning down a big-money move to Al-Hilal.

The Nigeria international has been a name consistently linked with a move to Chelsea over the last few transfer windows, and it’s no different this time around. The Blues, however, face competition from the likes of Galatasaray and United.

Osimhen impressed on loan with Galatasaray in the season just gone, with the Turkish club working on a deal to re-sign him on a permanent basis.

A clause in Osimhen’s contract means that he is available to clubs outside of Italy for a fee of €75 million (£64m) until the middle of next month. It means that clubs interested in the striker could face a race against time to be able to trigger that clause.

Chelsea have already strengthened their striking options this summer with the £30 million signing of Liam Delap. They could, however, be on the lookout for more attacking reinforcements before the end of the window.

Manchester United are also on the search for a new striker, with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to make a big impact at Old Trafford. Ferdinans is clear on who he wants to sign this summer.

When asked who United should sign this summer on his YouTube channel, Rio Presents, the former defender said: “No.9? They already know who I want. The comments know, the people know who I want, who I would go and get: Osimhen!

“It looks like he’s turned down Al-Hilal… he must be waiting for Manchester United. I don’t know if Manchester United are going to come. That’s the problem.”

Chelsea attempted to sign the striker last summer but were unable to complete a transfer before the window closed. With the Turkish window remaining open for longer, he completed a loan move to Galatasaray, where he scored 26 times in 30 Super Lig appearances for the club.