Two-time UEFA Champions League winners, Chelsea, are closing in on a deal for French striker, Hugo Ekitike, after signing Liam Delap, shutting the door on a possible move for Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for the past two seasons, but it appears the chase for the prolific goalscorer could be well and truly over.
Chelsea splashed €30m to secure the services of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, and while some of the club’s former players clamoured for the club to go after Osimhen, Enzo Maresca’s side have their gaze fixed on another striker.
Chelsea are currently working on a verbal agreement with Hugo #Ekitike!
There has already been initial contact with Eintracht Frankfurt. #SGE are still demanding €100 million. It remains open whether Chelsea and Eintracht will reach an agreement. #CFC
The next steps are… pic.twitter.com/nKjZJ4ZJCV
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 4, 2025
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As per Football 365, Chelsea are working on a verbal agreement for Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and have made initial contact with the German side in a bid to beat Liverpool to the signature of the 22-year-old this summer.
Ekitike has caught the attention of the European elite this term with 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions to help the Bundesliga side into the Champions League, and has had a €100m [£84m] price tag slapped on him as a result.
While it appears the transfer fee Ekitike will command will be more than Osimhen’s, Chelsea will make up for it in wages of the former Paris Saint-Germain forward, considering it’s less than that of the Galatasaray striker.
With Chelsea’s attention turned away from Victor Osimhen, and Arsenal prioritising Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, only Liverpool and Manchester United are the options left for the Napoli striker.
Ruben Amorim’s side are undergoing a squad overhaul and are also looking to offload Rasmus Hojlund, who’s been shambolic by every possible standard, while Liverpool are keen on bringing another striker alongside Florian Wirtz due to the inconsistencies of Darwin Nunez in front of goal.
With Jim Ratcliffe in charge of affairs at Old Trafford, Manchester United might not be able to afford Osimhen’s wage demands. Additionally, they don’t have the best appeal to the 2023 CAF Player of the Year, having finished 15th in the just-concluded English Premier League season.
EXCL: Al Hilal submit official bid to Napoli for Victor Osimhen as top target.
Proposal worth €65m fixed fee plus €5m add-ons, decision up to Napoli now.
This follows story revealed yesterday on Al Hilal in contact with Osimhen over salary/personal terms. pic.twitter.com/m0brZMVSqt
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2025
The only other option for Osimhen outside of England is from Saudi Pro League side – Al Hilal, who are ready to shoulder the wages of the Turkish Super Lig golden boot winner. Additionally, the €75m release clause of the Super Eagles striker isn’t a problem for the Middle Eastern side.
Galatasaray also want to keep Osimhen in Turkey beyond this season, and it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up ahead of next season.