Osimhen: 5 questions Chelsea must answer before transfer deadline day

Victor Osimhen has received fresh backing to join Chelsea after Nicolas Jackson completed a £65 million move to Aston Villa, Afrik-Foot reports.

The transfer has changed the picture at Stamford Bridge, with Liam Delap also leaving Chelsea for Nottingham Forest this summer. Metro reports that former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly believes the club should bring in a traditional centre-forward in the form of Osimhen after Jackson’s departure.

João Pedro is now wearing Chelsea’s No.9 shirt after an excellent first season in west London. The Brazil international scored 20 goals in all competitions and was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Season. He also signed a new contract until 2034 this week.

Osimhen, however, offers a different profile. The 27-year-old, who looks increasingly likely to stay at Galatasaray, scored 22 goals and supplied eight assists in 33 official matches for Galatasaray last season. He has also started the new campaign with five goals and two assists in his first three Süper Lig games, including a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Göztepe.

The problem is that signing Osimhen would be far more complicated than simply finding room for another striker.

Osimhen questions Chelsea need answered

Can Chelsea afford the transfer fee?

This could be the first major obstacle. Galatasaray paid Napoli €75 million for Osimhen in July 2025. His current contract runs until June 2029 and contains no release clause, according to Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek. That gives the Turkish club strong control over any possible sale.

Galatasaray’s vice president Abdullah Kavukcu said in February that Osimhen’s value had doubled to about €150 million. A June report from Türkiye Today also said the club would not consider offers below €150 million.

Chelsea have shown that they can spend heavily. Yet their latest audited accounts recorded £490.9 million in revenue for 2024/25, while the club reported a £262.4 million loss before tax. Chelsea also paid £26.5 million under a UEFA settlement agreement.

That does not make an Osimhen deal impossible, but a fee close to €150 million would require careful financial planning.

Can Chelsea meet his salary demands?

Osimhen’s current Galatasaray contract sets a high benchmark. The Super Eagles striker receives a guaranteed net salary of €15 million per season, plus a €1 million loyalty bonus and €5 million per season for image rights. That package is worth €21 million a year before any new Chelsea agreement is considered.

Chelsea would also have to consider the length of the contract and the effect of a large salary on their squad-cost position.

Osimhen is not simply another young player who can be given a long development deal. He is 27 and would arrive as an established centre-forward expecting to play regularly.

Chelsea must decide, not only if they can pay him, but also whether they are convinced that his output justifies making him one of its highest-paid players.

Is Osimhen an upgrade on João Pedro?

This is the football question Chelsea cannot avoid. João Pedro had 50 appearances, 20 goals and six assists in his first full campaign at Chelsea. He scored 15 Premier League goals, added five assists and won the club’s Player of the Season award.

He then opened Alonso’s Premier League era with a goal after only 31 seconds in the 3-2 win at Fulham. Alonso praised the front three of João Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer after the match.

Osimhen would give Chelsea a more physical No.9. He can attack crosses, run behind defenders, compete with centre-backs and provide a direct option when Chelsea face a high press.

That does not automatically make him better than João Pedro. It means he could give Alonso a different attacking tool. Chelsea must decide whether that difference is worth a huge transfer fee.

Does Xabi Alonso want a traditional No.9 like Osimhen?

Desailly believes the answer should be yes. He said Chelsea need a “proper number-nine type striker” who can lead the attack and occupy central defenders.

There is evidence that Alonso understands the value of a conventional striker. At Bayer Leverkusen, he worked with Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface, two powerful centre-forwards who could lead the line.

However, Alonso’s first competitive Chelsea team offered another clue. Against Fulham, he used a 3-4-2-1 system with João Pedro ahead of Palmer and Rogers. The trio produced all three Chelsea goals.

Alonso also has João Pedro tied to the club until 2034. He must decide whether his system needs another central striker or whether the Brazilian already fits his plan.

Would Osimhen choose Chelsea over Arsenal, Tottenham or Manchester United?

Chelsea may not control this part of the deal. Manchester United have made an enquiry about Osimhen, while reports have also linked Arsenal and Tottenham with the Nigerian. Tottenham’s interest was reported earlier in August, although no official approach had been made at that point.

Arsenal have also been linked with the striker for much of the summer. United’s enquiry means Chelsea could face competition from three Premier League clubs if the transfer battle becomes serious.

Osimhen also has a strong relationship with Galatasaray and a special connection with fans in Istanbul. Chelsea therefore need more than money. They need a convincing football plan, a clear role under Alonso and a strong reason for Osimhen to choose Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League transfer window closes at 11 p.m. BST on Tuesday, September 1. Chelsea have little time to turn the renewed Osimhen discussion into a serious transfer.