Chelsea may have failed to land Victor Osimhen on deadline day, but the club has been handed renewed hope of securing the striker in January following a request from the player. The Blues made Osimhen their top target during the final days of the summer transfer window but were unable to reach an agreement for his signature.
As the transfer deadline for Europe’s top leagues passed, Osimhen remained at Napoli, where he faced an uncertain future after being left out of the squad. However, a surprising lifeline came from Galatasaray, with the Turkish club offering the striker an opportunity to move on loan. Osimhen accepted the switch to Turkey, but with two important conditions in place.
Reports from Sky Sport Italia reveal that Osimhen’s Napoli contract now includes a reduced release clause, dropping from €130 million (£109.5 million) to €75 million (£63.2 million), making a future move more feasible. Additionally, Napoli retain the option to extend the striker’s contract until 2027 if he isn’t sold next summer.
One key aspect of Osimhen’s agreement with Galatasaray is a January break clause, which allows the striker to leave midway through his season-long loan if a major European club comes calling. According to Turkish outlet A Spor, this break clause is limited to just 10 specific clubs. Galatasaray will not have the option to purchase Osimhen during his loan spell, but they will cover his full salary during his time in Turkey.
There has been some debate over the exact number of clubs eligible to trigger the break clause. Turkish journalist Kagan Dursun claims the list includes only eight clubs, with Osimhen himself reportedly writing the names of his preferred destinations. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich are believed to be among the clubs listed, offering the Blues a potential opening for a fresh approach in the January window.
Speculation from Football Italia adds that European giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain could also be on Osimhen’s list of desired destinations. Should any of these clubs make a move for him in the winter transfer window, the break clause would allow Osimhen to leave Galatasaray and secure a move to one of Europe’s elite.
Chelsea’s failure to land the Nigerian striker in the summer was a disappointment, but this latest development offers a chance for the club to revisit the deal in January. With Osimhen’s release clause now lowered and the player open to a mid-season move, the Blues could finally secure the prolific forward they’ve been pursuing. All eyes will now be on how the situation unfolds in the coming months, as Chelsea and other top clubs prepare for a potential January bidding war.