Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has dropped a bombshell, revealing that the Blues were tantalizingly close to securing the services of Napoli’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, on transfer deadline day. In a recent interview, Mikel shared the behind-the-scenes drama of Chelsea’s pursuit, admitting that the deal was all but done before unforeseen circumstances derailed their plans.
Negotiations for a loan move for Osimhen continued right up until the eleventh hour of the summer transfer window but ultimately proved fruitless. With it becoming apparent that he would not feature for Napoli again this season, the striker made a surprise loan switch to Galatasaray.
What Did Obi Mikel Say About the Failed Osimhen Transfer?
Osimhen has been under fire from a vocal minority of Chelsea supporters, accused of playing a part in the failed transfer negotiations. However, his fellow Nigerian Mikel, who was instrumental in trying to lure him to Stamford Bridge, has come to his defense, setting the record straight.
“Everyone knows I was involved in the deal,” he revealed in The Obi One Podcast. “I was involved in trying to get Victor Osimhen to the club. A lot happened. I hear a lot of people saying this and saying that about Victor and how greedy he is, ‘take a paycut and come to Chelsea’, stuff like that…
“I just want to categorically state here that – I know the kid, I know the boy since the very first day he joined the national team. My relationship with him has been very, very good. Since then, we have kept in contact. I just want to say that is absolutely not true. Victor is not a greedy guy, he just wants to get what he deserves, and that’s not a problem.”
Did Osimhen Ask for £500,000 Per Week to Play for Chelsea?
There has been claims that Osimhen demanded £500,000 per week to play for Chelsea. Obi Mikel, however, says that was far from the case.
“No, he wasn’t asking for that, that’s bulls**t. I know what happened, I was there in the midst of everything. I can tell everybody that is definitely not true.
“We were very, very close, I’ll put it that way. We were hours away from getting this deal done, but there were just slight issues, little problems that we just couldn’t get over the line. Of course, then the medical couldn’t be done, it was too late.
“But I know exactly where we stopped. I know exactly where we are with the deal. If, eventually in January we pick it up again, I know exactly where we have to start from. I was the guy right in the middle of everything. For a couple of days, I didn’t sleep.”
“I know what Victor wanted, I know what the club offered. I know where we got to. We finally got to a compromise. Both sides had to compromise and we got to a compromise. Some little things here and there – paperwork, medicals and a few issues we couldn’t get over the line. We didn’t have much time.
“Both sides played their parts in terms of getting the deal done. I commend Chelsea for that, because I could see the ambition of where they want to take the club, and on Victor’s side, how much he wanted to come to the club. He was disappointed it didn’t happen.”
