Victor Osimhen was’very, very close’ to joining Chelsea this summer, according to former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel.
Throughout the summer transfer window, the Nigerian striker was frequently linked to the Blues. A move to the Premier League was his “dream,” but the deal fell through on deadline day.
Instead, Osimhen shocked everyone by leaving Napoli to sign a season-long loan with Turkish Super Lig team Galatasaray.
Reports claimed that Osimhen’s excessive salary demands prevented the West London club from coming to an agreement. However, Mikel asserts that these ideas are wholly untrue.
Mikel Obi on Victor Osimhen’s alleged demands from Chelsea
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast,, Mikel said,
‘I hear a lot of people saying this and saying that about Victor and and how greedy he is, blah, blah, blah. ‘Take a pay cut and come to Chelsea’ blah, blah, blah, stuff like that.
‘I know the kid. I know the boy. I just want to say that that is absolutely not true. Victor is not a greedy boy. He’s not a greedy guy, he only wants to get what he deserves and that’s not a problem.’
During the transfer window, it was said that Osimhen was hoping to earn an incredible £500,000 every week. Although the Blues were interested in signing a striker, it was thought they would not be able to afford such a hefty price. However, Mikel had a strong response to these claims.
”No, he wasn’t asking for all this b******t,’ added Mikel. ‘I know what happened, I was in the midst of everything. So I can tell everybody that is definitely not true.
”He just wants to play football and get what he deserves and that’s not a problem. A player knowing what he’s worth and demanding to be paid what he what he’s worth, that’s not a problem.’
Mikel, who has been heavily involved in Victor Osimhen’s intended move to Chelsea, also hinted that the striker could still make a switch to Chelsea after his Galatasaray stint.
