Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi hopes the Blues won’t miss out on signing Victor Osimhen again this summer, given their stance on signing a new striker this summer as well as interests from the Saudi Pro League, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Chelsea were in talks to sign Osimhen in the closing stages of the transfer window last summer but were unable to agree a deal with Napoli for the striker.
The Blues remain in the market for a new striker this summer and are considering Ipswich striker Liam Delap, who has a £30m relegation release clause in his deal – a cheaper amount than Osimhen’s £65m.
With Chelsea deciding to bring in a new striker in this summer’s transfer window, Sky Sports says five players are of interest to the Premier League club, with Delap topping the list which also has Osimhen, Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike and Jonathan David – largely reflecting Chelsea’s policy of signing younger players.
Although there are no new interests from Saudi in Osimhen yet, Mikel hopes the 26-year-old doesn’t make the switch yet.
“I hope he doesn’t go there,” Mikel said on Obi One Podcast.
“That was my fight, that was my conversation with him in the summer. I told the kid, ‘Don’t go’. Saudi is always going to be there, they don’t have the World Cup until 2034, and they will still be spending.
“Come here, come to us (Chelsea), they (Saudi Arabia) will still be spending, come to us for three or four seasons.
“And he listened, but how long are you going to continue to say no to such huge, huge money? At some point, your head gets turned. You have family members talking to you, parents talking to you; it’s generational money. You can’t keep putting it off; at some point, your head is going to get turned.”
After a potential move to Saudi Arabia collapsed last season, Osimhen, having fallen out with the hierarchy at Napoli, ended up joining Galatasaray on loan for the season, and the 26-year-old is thriving in Turkey, scoring 28 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions so far.
