Chelsea FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea target Victor Osimhen has turned down an offer to join Juventus this summer, according to reports in Italy.
Osimhen came close to joining Chelsea last summer but the Premier League side were unable to agree a deal with Napoli for the striker.
The Nigerian international ended up moving to Galatasaray on loan for the season, where he has continued his remarkable goalscoring exploits.
The 26-year-old has scored 36 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions to help fire the Turkish side to a domestic league and cup double.
Set to return to Napoli at the end of the season, Osimhen has no future under Antonio Conte and will look to find a new permanent home in the summer transfer window.
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The 26-year-old has a €75m (£64.2m) release clause in his contract with Napoli, which can only be triggered by clubs outside Serie A.
Early suggestions indicated that Juventus had kept tabs on Osimhen, but reports from Il Matino suggest that the striker has already turned down the possibility of a move to Turin.
Galatasaray v Kayserispor - Turkish Super League
Victor Osimhen has starred for Galatasaray this season (Picture: Getty)
Such news will come as a boost to Chelsea, who are expected to renew their interest in Osimhen in the summer window as they look to add more attacking firepower and competition for Nicolas Jackson.
The Blues also look set to offload back-up striker Christopher Nkunku following his failed stint at Stamford Bridge, with several top European clubs interested in the Frenchman.
Newcastle United FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Osimhen could provide competition for Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Enzo Maresca’s side will not have to compete with Manchester United for Osimhen’s signature, with the Red Devils turning their focus towards a double deal for Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap.
But Chelsea will not get a free run at Osimhen, with Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek confident his side can compete with anyone in Europe when it comes to signing the striker permanently this summer.
Ozbek, however, did concede that the riches of Saudi Arabia could prove tempting for Osimhen, with reports suggesting that Al-Hilal are considering offering the Nigerian a bumper contract to make him their marquee summer signing.
‘He received an offer of 120 million euros for 3 years from Saudi Arabia,’ Ozbek told Turkish media earlier in the week.
‘We can compete with European clubs, but it’s impossible with the Saudis.
‘Osimhen will give us his decision in 1-2 weeks. He had a great time at Galatasaray and he knows that he cannot find this love anywhere else. We will clarify our strategy based on Osimhen’s decision.’
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