John Obi Mikel share true ‘open secret’ about Victor Osimhen’s Chelsea transfer failed on late night phone calls

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John Obi Mikel Unveils Insight into Victor Osimhen’s Unsuccessful Chelsea Transfer

Victor Osimhen’s Near-Move to Chelsea

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen was close to sealing a move to Chelsea during the last hours of the transfer window. However, the deal ultimately fell through, despite Chelsea’s late push to sign him from Napoli. Osimhen had been heavily linked with the London club, which was eager to make the deal happen as Al Ahli prioritized their pursuit of Ivan Toney.

Why the Deal Collapsed

Although Chelsea had a clear shot at bringing in Osimhen, the two sides couldn’t agree on key financial terms. Reports suggested that wages were the sticking point, and while Chelsea and Osimhen’s camp attempted to work out the details, the deal never materialized. Left in limbo at Napoli, Osimhen later secured a loan move to Turkish champions Galatasaray, as the Turkish transfer window closed later.

Mikel’s Role in the Failed Transfer

John Obi Mikel, a Chelsea legend, played an active part in the negotiations to bring his fellow Nigerian striker to Stamford Bridge. Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel shared his frustration with how the failed transfer was portrayed, particularly the accusations that Osimhen was being greedy.

Mikel Defends Osimhen

Mikel strongly denied claims that Osimhen was demanding an exorbitant salary. “I’ve known Victor since he first joined the national team,” Mikel said, stressing that his relationship with Osimhen has always been positive. “He’s not greedy; he just wants what he’s earned,” Mikel added, emphasizing that the failure of the transfer came down to minor issues, not Osimhen’s personal demands.

Behind-the-Scenes of the Negotiations

Mikel was closely involved in the talks and shared his firsthand knowledge of what went wrong. “I was there, I saw it all,” he explained, clearing up misconceptions surrounding the deal. According to Mikel, the breakdown came down to paperwork, medical issues, and a lack of time to get everything in place before the window shut.

Osimhen’s Future Prospects at Chelsea

After the UK transfer window closed, Mikel had a lengthy phone call with Osimhen, encouraging him to stay focused. Eventually, Osimhen moved on loan to Galatasaray for the season, with the Turkish side covering his full wages. However, there’s a clause in his contract that allows him to join one of ten specified clubs in January, and Chelsea is believed to be among them.

Optimism for Future Transfer

Mikel remains optimistic that Chelsea can secure Osimhen in the near future. “There are no hard feelings,” Mikel said. He expressed confidence that when the time comes to revisit the transfer, the remaining details could be ironed out, allowing the deal to finally go through.

Mikel’s Confidence in Osimhen

Mikel also reiterated his faith in Osimhen’s abilities, not just because of their close relationship, but because of the striker’s talent. “Victor is one of the best strikers in the world, Africa’s best player, and I know Chelsea fans understand what he can bring to the club,” Mikel concluded.

Both Chelsea and Osimhen are reportedly in a good place, and Mikel is determined to bring the star forward to Stamford Bridge in the near future.