Chelsea were unable to land either Victor Osimhen or Ivan Toney on deadline day.
Osimhen is staying at Napoli after failing to agree to personal terms with Chelsea, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports. The west London outfit apparently entered exclusive talks with the Nigerian forward after Toney went forward with his €40-million move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
Al-Ahli also had a deal in place with Osimhen over a four-year contract worth €40 million per season, according to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, but were unable to agree to a fee with Napoli.
Conversely, the Italian club had reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea.
Al-Ahli finalized Toney’s transfer from Brentford late Friday night. The 28-year-old English international completed medical tests in London prior to the move being announced.
The Saudi transfer window, unlike in Europe, remains open until October, meaning Toney was able to complete his move even after England’s deadline passed at 6 p.m. ET on Friday.
Unless Al-Ahli or another Saudi side rescues Osimhen, he could be out of action until the transfer window reopens in January. Napoli manager Antonio Conte is unlikely to reintegrate Osimhen into his squad, Di Marzio reports, with Romelu Lukaku handed the keys to the attack after joining from Chelsea.
Osimhen scored in double figures in each of his four Serie A seasons, including a 26-goal campaign in 2022-23 when he led Napoli to the Scudetto. Toney, meanwhile, found the net 32 times over his first two Premier League seasons with Brentford.
