Victor Osimhen has a double incentive to seal a loan transfer from Napoli to Chelsea this summer. The Nigeria international has regularly been linked to a Stamford Bridge in recent years, however it has never really developed beyond a strong interest.
That stance appeared to change significantly ahead of the summer window with the Blues cooling their interest and turning their focus elsewhere. Jhon Duran, Jonathan David and Samu Omorodion were all contacted by Chelsea, however they now look to have gone full circle with a deal very much on for Osimhen.
According to the Athletic, alongside permanent transfer talks for Romelu Lukaku, negotiations are ongoing for Osimhen to arrive in west London on a season-long loan which includes an option to buy. The agent of Osimhen, Roberto Calenda, rubbished any claims of a loan move, however that could have been a ploy to drum up interest and achieve the best possible deal for his client.
If conversations are still taking place over a potential striker exchange, it would be an excellent piece of business for Chelsea, especially considering their £37million Lukaku asking price. Osimhen also has a clear reason to join the Blues given the success of fellow African Didier Drogba in west London.
And if that wasn’t enough of an incentive, his dream shirt number is still available. Following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer of 2023, the No.9 jersey is now up for grabs with Osimhen having donned that number in Italy.
However, the 25-year-old may choose an alternative shirt number considering the struggles of past strikers taking on that kit number. If Osimhen does arrive and decides to make a change, there are plenty of alternatives with more to come if several departures are sealed.
Trevoh Chalobah, 15, Conor Gallagher, 23, and Andrey Santos, 39, could all be moved on this summer with their respective shirt numbers also then becoming vacant. At Lille, Osimhen wore seven, 16 and 12 with the latter of those currently available.
In terms of numbers between 1-40, 30, 34 and 35 are all available, however it seems far more plausible that Osimhen would take the No.9 given he has worn that for the five seasons at Napoli.
