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James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FCAug 30, 2024, 06:41 PM ET
Victor Osimhen ‘s future is in limbo after Chelsea failed to agree a deal to sign the Napoli striker before England’s transfer deadline.
Sources have told ESPN that Osimhen that the Serie A club had accepted an €80 million ($88.5 million) offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli but the Nigeria international expressed doubts about leaving European football.
That left Chelsea in a position to potentially pounce, stepping up their longstanding interest in the 25-year-old as talks intensified over Thursday and Friday.
However, sources have told ESPN that a deal could not be reached in time.
Al Ahli also pursued a deal for Brentford striker Ivan Toney and with the Saudi club unable to register both forwards, it now appears Osimhen faces up to the prospect of waiting for another Middle East club to make a late move — the Saudi Pro League window closes on September 2 — or try to rebuild his relationships at Napoli.
Osimhen will have an uphill battle at Napoli after new head coach Antonio Conte successfully pushed the club to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in a £30 million ($39.4 million) deal.
