Victor Osimhen may be left rethinking his Premier League dreams after Chelsea appeared to close the door on a potential summer swoop, opting instead to sign Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian striker, who had been a key target for Chelsea in previous windows and was believed to be edging closer to a Premier League move, now finds himself sidelined as the newly crowned UEFA Conference League winners prepare to welcome 22-year-old Delap from relegated Ipswich.
From Osimhen’s point of view, the development is both unexpected and frustrating.
Last summer, the Blues came closest to sealing a late move for the Galatasaray
loanee, a transfer widely tipped to go through with Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and Mikel Obi personally involved in talks to persuade him to join the club.
But after a sensational season in Turkey — where Osimhen spearheaded Galatasaray’s domestic double, collected Player of the Season honours and shattered club records — Chelsea have now chosen to go in a different direction.
Delap, whose £30million release clause was activated following Ipswich’s relegation, is poised to complete a move to Stamford Bridge after agreeing personal terms, as per the Athletic.
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Big blow for Victor Osimhen as Chelsea complete stunning Liam Delap move from Ipswich Town
For Osimhen, the move raises fresh questions. His desire to play in the Premier League is no secret, and Chelsea once represented his clearest route to English football’s top tier. That pathway now appears blocked.
Despite his heroics in Istanbul, where he became a cult hero among Galatasaray supporters, the striker had set his sights on the Premier League.
Manchester United had shown interest, but with no Champions League football and ongoing financial constraints, their pursuit has reportedly cooled — at least for now.
There is growing talk of a possible return to Galatasaray, where fans and club officials alike are eager to keep him. But if an English move proves impossible this summer, Saudi Arabia remains a serious option. Osimhen has drawn attention from several Pro League clubs offering lucrative packages that dwarf even European wages.
Nonetheless, sources close to the Super Eagles star insist his priority remains top-level European football, with the Premier League his ideal destination. He remains hopeful that another English club — potentially United or even Arsenal — will table an offer matching his ambitions and salary expectations.
Delap’s arrival at Chelsea certainly marks a turning point. While Osimhen remains one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe, this latest twist underlines the shifting dynamics of top-tier transfers and the importance of timing.
With the clock ticking down to the heart of the transfer window, Osimhen must now weigh his options carefully. Return to Turkey as a hero, make the big-money Saudi switch, or hold out for a Premier League miracle?
Either way, his next move will define his career.