Jon Obi Mikel has revealed that he is trying to ‘push Victor Osimhen to joining Chelsea’ while joking that he is the Napoli striker’s agent.
The much sought-after forward reportedly ‘signed a new contract’ with the Italian outfit in December which will keep him at the club until 2026.
Sky Sports Italy claimed the 25-year-old also now has a release clause in his contract that is worth around £104million-£113m.
‘I think there is genuine interest between both,’ Mikel said to Ben Jacobs at the Web Summit Qatar, when asked whether there was a chance Osimhen could move to chelsea.
Jon Obi Mikel has urged £113m-rated Victor Osimhen to follow in his footsteps and join Chelsea
The 25-year-old striker is being sought after by several of Europe’s top clubs including PSG and Man United
‘I think he loves the club, he wants to come to the club.
‘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.
The Chelsea legend also joked: ‘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!’
Mikel, who won 89 caps for Nigeria during his playing career, moved to Chelsea in 2006 from Norwegian side Lyn. The defensive midfielder would go on to make 372 matches across all competitions for the Blues, winning two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in 2012.
Osimhen, meanwhile, could follow in the footsteps of his compatriot, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side will have to beat the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United to his signature.
It is understood that the prolific Napoli striker, who has 13 goals in 21 appearances for Napoli in all competitions this season, is ‘on PSG’s shortlist of forwards to replace Kylian Mbappe’ who looks set to leave the club this summer.
Napoli had also reportedly said Osimhen will leave the Serie A side to join either ‘PSG, Real Madrid or a top English club’, with Mikel urging the forward to move to Stamford Bridge.
‘London as well, fantastic city, instead of going to Liverpool or places like that you want to live in London,’ Mikel added.
‘But he also has a lot of interest. Paris Saint-Germain, Man United.
‘I’m stil pushing, sending him messages, trying to make sure he doesn’t expect to much, narrow you’re mind on one club – the Blues.
‘I am pushing him, I hope he comes to the club. I think one thing we lack, I think everyone who watch the [Carabao Cup] final on Sunday will see that one thing we are lacking is scoring goals. We need that striker who will score goals.’
Mikel added that the striker has a ‘genuine interest’ in joining Mauricio Pochettino’s side
The Chelsea legend claimed that he was ‘pushing’ Osimhen to join the London outfit
Osimhen has cemented himself as one of European football’s top strikers, having scored 13 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions for Napoli so far this season
Mauricio Pochettino’s side do need a new front man, with Chelsea struggling to find the back of the net this season, dropping to 11th in the Premier League standings.
Osimhen joined Napoli in 2020 and has established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, scoring 72 goals in 122 appearances for the club.
‘That’s what Victor will give you. He’s not the most skilful guy, but goals are definitely guaranteed.
‘If he could get us 20 plus a season, 25, who knows, that’s what Erling Haaland does, that’s why he’s one of the best, he’s not really there for link-ups and all that, get the ball in the box and he will finish. That’s something Victor will definitely give us.
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