Mikel Obi says he is ‘pushing Victor Osimhen to join Chelsea’

Mikel Obi says he is ‘pushing Victor Osimhen to join Chelsea’

Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has claimed that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen wants to sign for the Blues this summer.

Mikel, who briefly played alongside Osimhen for Nigeria, is privately urging the 25-year-old to make the move to Stamford Bridge, as he’s expected to leave Napoli in the summer.

Osimhen only signed a new deal with the Italian champions in December but club president Aurelio de Laurentiis has already admitted that his star could be bound for a Premier League move, lending credence to reports that he has a release clause worth around £110million in that new contract.

Speaking at the Qatar Web Summit, Mikel made the claim that Osimhen “loves” Chelsea and also believes there’s “genuine interest” between the two parties ahead of the summer transfer window. “I think he loves the club, he wants to come to the club,” the ex-Blues midfielder explained.

“Obviously, he wants to follow my footsteps as a Nigerian player who has played for Chelsea – Victor Moses, Celestine Babayaro, not a lot of us.” Mikel then went on to joke: “I’m still Osimhen’s agent, trying to get him to Chelsea! I’ve got 20 per cent of that deal, so I hope it works out!