- The £112million-rated striker has been a long-term target for Arsenal and Chelsea
- He signed an extension with Napoli last year, probably with a release clause
- Ivan Toney is ambitious and wants to win titles… you can’t begrudge him that! It all starts
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and Napoli star Victor Osimhen caused a stir among Blues fans after they were spotted chatting ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON match against Ivory Coast on Thursday.
The Super Eagles recorded 1-0 wins against the tournament hosts, but all the attention on social media was focused on the pre-match exchange.
The Stamford Bridge icon caught up with the reigning African Football of the Year, who has been linked with a move to the club, in the tunnel ahead of the second group match in Abidjan.
And Blues fans were united in believing their former striker helped broker a deal that could see him join Mauricio Pochettino.
“Yes, Osimhen is coming to Chelsea, I have a feeling it will happen in the summer.” One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Didier Drogba caught up with Victor Osimhen ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON match against Ivory Coast
Chelsea fans hoped Drogba would play his part in convincing the Napoli striker to join the Blues
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Another said: ‘I say I have to come to Chelsea. Super agent Drogba.” While a third begged: ‘Didier Drogba, please convince him to join Chelsea.’
The Nigerian star scored in his country’s opening match against Equatorial Guinea before winning the penalty that decided the second match against the home side.
Osimhen has been linked with a move to a host of clubs in January – or more realistically – in the summer, amid an increasingly strained relationship with Napoli, who have mounted a dismal Serie A title defense.
The attacker extended his contract with the Neapolitan team last month, which is believed to include a release clause of between €120 and €130 million.
It appears the 25-year-old will leave Napoli at the end of the season after reportedly signing a contract extension that includes a release clause.
This could allow the likes of the Blues or their London rivals Arsenal to acquire his services at the end of the current season.
The Nigeria international signed for Napoli in 2020 and made 119 appearances for them, leading the way in the race for the Italian Serie A championship last season.
Manchester United are another Premier League team that have been linked with Osimhen’s services, as well as several big-spending Saudi Pro League clubs.