The alluring transfer clause that could see Chelsea land £100m top transfer target in January

Chelsea had an exceptionally busy summer transfer widow. Creative attacking weapons like Joao Felix, Joao Pedro and Jadon Sancho were all piled through the doors in west London, with hefty transfer fees for the former pair leading to another massive financial layout. There’s no denying the fact that the players mentioned know how to beat a man and create a goal-scoring opportunity- what is missing now is the ruthless finisher top teams across the globe can’t thrive without.

The Blues obviously lack an elite finisher to round off the hefty xG they continue to stack up, a Didier Drogba or Diego Costa type of striker who could intimate opposition in the tunnel with their mere presence before a ball is kicked. Enzo Maresca has already identified the solution to the goal-scoring problem in Victor Oshimhen, but ultimately the club chased after the wind and couldn’t get his signature in the summer transfer widow, in a frustrating saga that went right down to the wire.

Osimhen was heavily linked to Chelsea and Al Ahli in the Saudi Arabia Pro League, but he was unable to agree a move to either club. Napoli also didn’t register him for the 2024/25 Serie A season, with Antonio Conte having his favourite striker Romelu Lukaku join him in Naples. Some fans blamed the Nigerian’s alleged wage demands for a deal not going through, and even suggested he personally was at fault for not getting the move.

The forward was criticised heavily for renewing his contract last year with a salary of about €10m a year and a prohibitive release clause worth a reported €130m. The same release clause would go on to deter suitors this summer, coupled with his unwillingness to take a pay cut from Chelsea, as reported by the Italian media. He was set to wander in the wastelands of professional football until the January transfer window, until Galatasaray came to his rescue, thanks to the Turkish transfer window remaining open, and he’s wasted little time in hitting the ground running.

The Turkish champions agreed to foot his wages in a loan deal which gives Napoli the chance to recall him and sell him in January should a suitable offer arrive. The Partenopei anticipate an fresh offer from Chelsea - they know the Blues haven’t cooled down their interest in the Nigerian. In January, Osimhen will have only 18 months left on his contract, which means they will likely lower his asking price. If Chelsea’s lack of ruthlessness up front persists, they will have little choice but to make the bold move for the Nigerian.

Romelu Lukaku has already settled in Naples with two goals and two assists in two games as Napoli sit top of the league. There is simply no way back into the team for the Nigerian striker any time soon, and Napoli would be desperate to make some money off him in January.

Say what you will about Osimhen and his failed summer moves, but there is no denying he remains a prolific talent. In the 2022/23 season, he was being compared to Haaland when he netted 31 goals in 39 games and ended Napoli’s 33-year title drought. Unfortunately, he didn’t leave when the cheers were at their loudest. The title-winning coach Luciano Spalletti bowed out and things went south. Even as Napoli’s form plummeted to the extent they finished 10th when defending their title last season, Osimhen still managed to bag a healthy 17 goals.

A move to Chelsea, where chance creation is not a problem with the army of attacking players at their disposal, Osimhen can take his game to the next level. Napoli know that should they fail to cash in on him in January, the Nigerian could consider running down his contract and go for free in the summer of 2026. The deal makes sense - now it’s time to see whether it can finally be struck in the new year.