Chelsea given Victor Osimhen transfer green light as Napoli chief drops January hint

Napoli director Mauro Meluso has revealed that Victor Osimhen could still leave the Italian side permanently in January, opening the door to clubs such as Chelsea.

Osimhen wanted to leave the Serie A side in the summer and among the clubs interested were Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli. The 25-year-old eventually sealed a late switch to Galatasaray on loan, although it's been reported that he could still seal a permanent switch elsewhere when the January transfer window opens in less than three months' time.

Osimhen already has two goals and two assists to his name in four appearances for Galatasaray this campaign. The Nigerian striker is currently injured but is expected to make a return after the international break.

football.london understands Chelsea hold a long-standing interest in Osimhen, with the Blues even expressing interest in signing the striker in the summer. A move failed to materialise, however, with his release clause of more than £100million proving to be a stumbling block in negotiations.

Now, Napoli chief Meluso has admitted Osimhen could well still leave the Italians in the winter window. "He no longer wanted to be part of the first-team," Meluso said during the Palermo Football Conference this week, via Metro.

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"He had received an important offer even before I arrived at Napoli, but [Napoli chairman] Aurelio De Laurentiis didn’t consider it because he thought about the club’s good. He may have made wrong decisions but did them to keep Napoli competitive."

On Osimhen joining Galatasaray, Meluso added: "It was a last-minute solution so he would not lose the first three months of the season. We will see in January."

It remains to be seen if Chelsea or any other club will explore a move for Osimhen in January. Nicolas Jackson has been trusted by Enzo Maresca so far this season, with the 23-year-old netting four goals and contributing three assists in eight games.