EPL: Osimhen hints at joining Chelsea after Mikel Obi’s plea

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen has hinted that he could move to the Premier League after former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel pleaded with him to make the switch to Chelsea.

Osimhen decided to stay with the Serie A winners in the summer, despite interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, PSG and Saudi Arabia.

The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the top strikers in Europe with 65 goals in 111 appearances for Napoli.

Osimhen was a guest on Mikel’s podcast and while he was not directly asked about joining Chelsea, the Napoli striker suggested that he would only move to another European club after he turned down an offer to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the summer.

Asked if he wants to continue playing in Europe, Osimhen said: ‘Of course.

‘What was said was true, I had talks, in August that week was a huge one, a huge decision for me to take, but I actually put it in God’s hands.

‘But the more I said no to these people [in Saudi Arabia] the more they increased it and increased it, it was literally like, ‘wow’, seeing these things.

‘I spoke with the people in charge and we spoke about it with my club and we saw what we could do, we decided, me and them and I told them, ‘I like these people, I want to stay, I don’t think I want to leave for now’. They understand where I’m coming from but they never gave up until their own transfer window [closed].

‘I said to them even before we played the first game of the season, ‘it’s done’, I really didn’t want to go back thinking, of course it’s a huge one, an amazing one that’s going to change my life but of course I had to make the decision that’s good for my career too.

‘As much as we play football for money there’s more that comes with it.’