Transfer Centre

Atletico Madrid 'preparing to battle Manchester United, Chelsea for Victor Osimhen'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 26 February 2023

Atletico 'preparing to battle Man United, Chelsea for Osimhen'

Atletico Madrid will battle Manchester United and Chelsea for the signature of Napoli forward Victor Osimhen this summer, according to a report.

Atletico Madrid are reportedly firmly in the race for Victor Osimhen, with the Spanish giants preparing to rival Manchester United and Chelsea for the Napoli striker.

The 24-year-old has been in excellent form for his Italian club during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 21 goals and registering four assists in 25 appearances in all competitions.

In Serie A, Osimhen has scored 19 goals and contributed four assists in 20 appearances, with the Blues currently 18 points clear of second-placed Inter Milan at the summit.

The Nigeria international has also netted twice in the Champions League this season, with Luciano Spalletti's side currently in the last-16 stage of the competition, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the first leg of their clash last week, with Osimhen on the scoresheet in Germany.

Man United and Chelsea continue to be heavily linked with the forward, who is believed to be valued in the region of €120m (£106m) by his Italian club.

Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli on November 1, 2022 © Reuters

However, according to Fichajes, there is also genuine interest from Atletico, with the Red and Whites determined to win the race for the Nigerian's signature this summer.

The report claims that Joao Felix - currently on loan at Chelsea - could leave on a permanent basis this summer, which would generate the funds required to move for Osimhen.

Atletico also demonstrated with their £113m move for Felix in July 2019 that they are prepared to spend big for the right player, putting them in a position to compete for Osimhen's signature.

Diego Simeone's side would have to secure Champions League football for next season to stand a chance of signing the forward, and they are currently fourth in the La Liga table on 42 points, two points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis.

Osimhen has scored 49 goals and registered 13 assists in 87 appearances for Napoli since making the move to the Serie A outfit from Lille in the summer of 2020.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring their third goal on October 16, 2022 © Reuters

The forward, in a recent interview with ESPN, failed to rule out a transfer in the near future.

"When you are doing so well, top clubs around the world are watching, mostly in the top-five leagues. And to be able to attract interest from these top clubs shows that I am doing great and it gives me the motivation to do even more for myself and my team," he said.

"But I am focused on Napoli right now and they have the final say. I just want to help my team to win matches and win trophies. At the end of the season, we will see what is going to happen, but that is not up to me. It is for the club to decide."

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis recently told Bild: "I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale. Our players are in demand, but I don't have to sell anyone. We don't have any debts."

However, the Italian outfit are believed to be bracing themselves for summer offers, and the club are in a strong position when it comes to the former Wolfsburg youngster, as he has a contract at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona until June 2025.