Chelsea has endured a turbulent first season under Enzo Maresca in the Premier League. The Blues are currently sixth in the table, and their chances of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League are hanging by a thread.
In such a scenario, the Blues can expect to overhaul their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.
However, the Stamford Bridge side was dealt a blow even before the start of next season, as Manchester United have reportedly reached a basic agreement with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Italy (via Tuttosport).
The striker is in the final weeks of his loan spell with Galatasaray and has scored 30 goals in 35 appearances for the Turkish club this season.
The Nigerian international is on course to win the Turkish league and cup double this season.
Galatasaray is five points clear of Fenerbahce in the Super Lig, and they will play either Trabzonspor or Goztepe in the Turkish Cup final next month.
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Osimhen came close to joining Chelsea in the closing stages of the transfer window last summer, but the Premier League side were unable to agree a deal with Napoli for the striker.
Meanwhile, United have retained an interest in the striker all through and are already working on a possible deal for the summer transfer window.
How Much will Manchester United or Chelsea will have to pay to sign Victor Osimhen?
The report claims that United have reached a ‘basic agreement’ with Osimhen over his salary, but the Premier League side have not agreed a transfer fee with Napoli.
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.
Speaking about his future last month, Osimhen said: “I play for one of the best teams in Turkey and the world. I love and respect this club very much. I am very happy to be here, and my family is happy as well. I have a settled life here. The most important thing for me is the club’s success, not transfers.”
Galatasaray are keen to keep Osimhen on a permanent deal but admit they face strong competition from five other clubs in Europe.
“Osimhen will inform us of his decision in April,” Galatasaray’s vice-president, Abdullah Kavukcu, said during a press conference in March.
“At the moment, the top five clubs in the world have also shown interest in him.
“Osimhen’s arrival was a dream come true. Now he is here and playing for us. In January, there was talk of him leaving, but he stayed because he loves Galatasaray. Today, he is the player all our rivals would like to have.”
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