Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has revealed the reasons behind the failed summer transfer of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to Stamford Bridge.
In an exclusive account, Mikel shared that salary disagreements and complex negotiations ultimately caused the breakdown of the highly anticipated deal.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel explained that Chelsea and Osimhen struggled to reach an agreement, with Napoli rejecting Chelsea’s offer and complicating matters further by altering the terms of their deal with Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli, which had also shown interest in Osimhen.
Despite Chelsea’s efforts, Osimhen’s move never materialized, and the Nigerian forward eventually secured a loan move to Galatasaray. Mikel commended both sides for their attempts to make the transfer happen, noting that minor issues with paperwork, medicals, and timing contributed to the deal’s collapse.
“I know what Victor wanted, what the club offered, and how negotiations went,” Mikel said. “Chelsea showed real ambition, and Victor wanted to join the club, but sometimes these things just don’t go as planned.”
With a potential transfer window opening in January, fans are hopeful that a future deal could still bring Osimhen to the Premier League.
