Enzo Maresca told why Chelsea must green light huge Victor Osimhen January transfer
Florent Malouda believes Victor Osimhen could make Chelsea Premier League title challengers again if the striker joins the Blues in January.
Chelsea have been long-term admirers of the Nigerian, football.london understands, and explored a deal to bring the 25-year-old to Stamford Bridge over the summer. Osimhen had expressed a desire to leave Napoli but a move to the Blues failed to materialise, with the Nigerian international instead joining Galatasaray on loan.
Osimhen has two goals and four assists in six appearances for the Turkish side so far this season and will be hoping to add to those numbers in the coming weeks. It's been reported that Osimhen's loan deal could be cut short in January, though, if Napoli receive a decent offer from a club looking to sign the striker permanently.
Il Corriere dello Sport claims Osimhen may be allowed to leave for around £68million, opening the door to a potential move to Chelsea. With just over two months until the January transfer window opens, former Blues player Malouda believes the west Londoners should do whatever it takes to bring Osimhen to Stamford Bridge.
"We almost signed Victor Osimhen in the summer, and he is the type of player that would add extra quality to this Chelsea team," Malouda told Coin Poker. "If there is an opportunity to bring him in in January, then I think the club has to look at it. From what I’ve read, he will cost less than the numbers that were quoted in the summer – the fee is reportedly in the region of £70million.
"Galatasaray would hate to lose him, but he’s a Napoli player and the noises coming out of Naples recently indicate that her will be available in January. Chelsea should be competing for the world’s best players. Osimhen is in that category.
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"You want to see the club add more quality to its team because that is what every ambitious club does, and his addition would bring Chelsea a step closer to the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal. It seems like the player wants to come to Chelsea.
"We’ll see if we can get him, but I would love the club to move for him because a lot of things can happen between now and January. There could be competition to bring him in – I would love to see the club working on a deal for him. Osimhen would be a great addition to the squad."
Malouda even admitted that Chelsea signing Osimhen could propel them into the title race. The former winger added: "Osimhen would be welcome. I think Didier Drogba had a lot of nice things to say about him. He would have to write his own history, but of course there would be a lot of expectation and excitement [if he joined Chelsea].
"I think the addition of Osimhen would send out a big message to the other top teams in the Premier League. If Chelsea signed him, then I think we could say for certain that his quality would put Chelsea right into the title race.
"If Chelsea can stay within touching distance of the top of the table, then adding Osimhen to the squad in January would give the fans and the club a really exciting second half to the season."