The summer transfer window has been a rollercoaster for Nigerian football fans, with two of the country’s brightest stars, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, at the heart of major transfer sagas. Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen has taken a dramatic twist, while Paris Saint-Germain are heavily interested in Lookman, although their efforts to secure his services have hit a roadblock.
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Osimhen’s Chelsea Move Edges Closer
Victor Osimhen’s potential transfer to Chelsea has dominated headlines in recent weeks. The 25-year-old striker, who has made a name for himself at Napoli with 76 goals in 133 appearances, is reportedly on the brink of a move to Stamford Bridge. This development comes as a major boost for Chelsea, who have been searching for a marquee signing to bolster their attacking options.
The pursuit of Osimhen has not been straightforward. Paris Saint-Germain had been Chelsea’s main competitors for the Nigerian’s signature, with the French giants closely monitoring his situation. However, recent reports suggest that PSG have cooled their interest in Osimhen due to Napoli’s steep asking price, reportedly exceeding £100 million. This unexpected development has cleared a path for Chelsea to secure the services of one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards.
Chelsea’s need for a top-class striker has been evident, especially after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in their English Premier League opener. Despite having a squad filled with talent, Chelsea’s attack has struggled to find the net consistently. Osimhen, who netted 31 goals in the 2022/23 season, could provide the clinical edge that the Blues desperately need.
Negotiations between Chelsea and Napoli are ongoing, with discussions also involving the potential sale of Romelu Lukaku to the Italian side as part of separate deals. Lukaku, who has failed to impress since returning to Chelsea, could be on his way out, paving the way for Osimhen to take centre stage at Stamford Bridge.
PSG’s Bid for Lookman Falls Short
While PSG have cooled their interest in Osimhen, they have turned their attention to another Nigerian star, Ademola Lookman. The Super Eagles forward has been in scintillating form for Atalanta, and his performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe. His standout displays, including a hat-trick in the Europa League Final that secured Atalanta’s first continental title, have made him one of the most exciting wingers in Serie A.
Lookman’s exceptional form has also made him a frontrunner for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award, a recognition that has only increased his value in the transfer market. PSG, looking to fill the void left by Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid, have made Lookman a key target. However, their pursuit has hit a snag, as Atalanta have stood firm on their valuation of the Nigerian international.
PSG reportedly made a verbal offer of €30 million for Lookman, but Atalanta swiftly dismissed the bid, deeming it significantly below their expectations. Lookman’s market value, initially estimated at around €20 to 25 million, has soared to between €50 to 60 million following his electrifying performances late in the season. Atalanta, aware of the growing interest in their star forward, are unwilling to let him go for anything less.
For PSG to successfully acquire Lookman, they will need to substantially increase their offer. The ball is now in PSG’s court as they weigh up whether to meet Atalanta’s demands or look elsewhere to bolster their squad.
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