Chelsea have intensified their pursuit of Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, dispatching scouts to Türkiye to monitor his performance during Galatasaray’s high-stakes Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce on Monday, which ended in a goalless draw.
The Premier League club sent representatives to the electric showdown at Istanbul’s iconic stadium, with their focus firmly set on the prolific Napoli striker, currently on loan at Galatasaray.
Despite the highly anticipated fixture ending without a goal, Chelsea’s scouts paid close attention to Osimhen’s movement, positioning, and overall influence on the game.
According to Turkish-Football, Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen remains strong despite his failure to find the net during the derby.
The 25-year-old forward has been in scintillating form throughout his loan spell in Türkiye, solidifying his reputation as one of Europe’s most coveted strikers.
Osimhen’s impact at Galatasaray has been undeniable. In just 19 league appearances, he has scored an impressive 24 goals and provided four assists, becoming the club’s primary attacking threat.
His physicality, pace, and clinical finishing have been instrumental in Galatasaray’s domestic campaign, placing him firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs.
While Galatasaray’s European journey ended prematurely following their exit from the Europa League, Osimhen still left a significant mark on the continental stage.
He scored six goals and contributed an assist in seven Europa League matches, further proving his consistency on both domestic and international fronts.
Chelsea’s pursuit of a reliable goal scorer has been a priority following a season plagued by inconsistency in front of goal.
The Blues have struggled to maintain attacking efficiency, and Osimhen’s goal-scoring pedigree makes him an ideal target to strengthen their frontline.
However, securing his signature is expected to be a complex process, given Napoli’s valuation of the player and growing competition from other European giants.
Napoli, who loaned Osimhen to Galatasaray for the current season, are reportedly open to a permanent transfer, though they are likely to demand a significant fee.
Several other clubs, including Premier League rivals and top Serie A sides, have also expressed interest in the Nigerian international, setting the stage for a competitive transfer battle this summer.
For now, Osimhen remains focused on helping Galatasaray in their domestic title race. But with Chelsea and other major clubs circling, the Nigerian forward’s future looks set to dominate the headlines once the transfer window reopens.
