Chelsea and PSG are still neck-and-neck in the race for Osimhen
Napoli could take home over $100 million for the Nigerian talisman.
NAPLES, Italy — Although Napoli has tried to sell off Victor Osimhen since their Serie A campaign ended in May, they still haven’t found a place — or a price — for their superstar striker. Napoli’s $120 million price tag has driven away most interested parties, while a slow transfer market and an abundance of cheaper strikers have made it hard for Napoli to find a buyer. Napoli have lowered their demands to $120 million, attracting two frontrunners in the race for Osimhen — Chelsea and PSG.
PSG, missing Kylian Mbappé, have pursued Osimhen throughout the summer, even agreeing personal terms with the striker. However, they were turned off by Napoli’s high price tag and reasoned they could make do with strikers Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.
However, in PSG’s 4-1 win over Le Havre, Ramos suffered a fractured ankle, ruling him out for at least three months. With the only semi-reliable striker being Kolo Muani, PSG has reopened the possibility of signing a new striker. Although they could sign attackers Rayan Cherki and Jadon Sancho, Victor Osimhen is their most important target.
Chelsea are also after Osimhen. Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistency has pushed Enzo Maresca and crew to sign a new striker to compete with Jackson. They’re inches away from signing Joao Felix for $55 million and have been linked to Lille striker Jonathan David, but their pursuit of Osimhen will come first.
As it stands, Osimhen would rather go to PSG than Chelsea. Osimhen isn’t keen on a move to the Premier League. Chelsea’s financial woes, bloated squad, and lack of Champions League football don’t help their case.
Osimhen’s transfer to PSG will still hinge on PSG’s striker situation. PSG still needs a replacement for Ramos, but higher-ups at Parc des Princes are still waiting for an offer for Kolo Muani or Ramos to come through. With Napoli’s Serie A match against Verona set for Sunday, negotiations don’t look progressive at all.
Spurs have decided to suspend star midfielder Yves Bissouma for their Monday clash with Leicester after Bissouma was spotted inhaling nitrous oxide on social media. Bissouma released an apology for inhaling the class C drug, which carries a prison sentence of up to two years in prison. Bissouma, who scored in their 3-2 friendly loss to Bayern, called his ‘laughing gas’ usage a ‘severe lack of judgment’. Rodrigo Bentacur, who saw no punishment after a controversy involving teammate Son Heung-min, will likely replace him.
Seko Fofana, who signed for Al Nassr last year, will move to Al Ettifaq on loan for the 2024/25 season. The Ivorian midfielder and AFCON champion made 14 appearances for Al Ettifaq on loan last season, having arrived in January. Al Ettifaq views Fofana as a valuable addition in the midfield to pair alongside Georginio Wijnaldum. Al Nassr, who lost 4-1 in the Saudi Super Cup, will lean on a midfield three of Otavio, Talisca, and Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhim.
Antoine Semenyo grabbed an 86th-minute equalizer to help Bournemouth take home a point away at Nottingham Forest. Forest couldn’t adequately clear Ryan Christie’s ball, sent across the face of the goal, and the ball bounced to Semenyo at the six-yard box and an open net. Semenyo smashed it home from close range to help Bournemouth get an improbable tie. The Cherries are seventh in the Premier League with one point as of writing.