John Obi Mikel on his podcast.

“I know what happened” – Chelsea icon sets record straight on major transfer saga

Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has given his thoughts on the Victor Osimhen transfer saga after the Blues failed to sign the Nigerian striker.

It was another busy summer at Stamford Bridge and despite signing exciting attacking talents in Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto the Blues once again failed to land a top quality striker.

Despite being linked with a whole host of names across Europe throughout the summer, Chelsea made it clear their main target was Osimhen.

Mikel shares views on Osimhen transfer saga

Chelsea tried right up until the final minutes of the window to agree terms with Osimhen and they reportedly made six or seven different offers to the striker.

Osimhen made it very clear that he wasn’t prepared to lower his wage demands, whist Chelsea made it clear they weren’t prepared to break their wage structure for the Nigerian.

With the minutes ticking down in the window Chelsea likely would have felt with a move to Saudi Arabia off the table Osimhen would end up accepting their offer as he wouldn’t want to remain at Napoli, but that wasn’t the case.

Instead he joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan for the season, although there’s a break clause in January, and Chelsea could potentially go back in for the 25-year-old.

Victor Osimhen in a Galatasaray shirt
Chelsea failed to sign Osimhen despite the striker being their main target.

A lot of people have accused Osimhen of being greedy and putting money before football, but former Chelsea star Mikel has now shared his thoughts on the saga.

“I mean, a lot happened, and I think it’s an open secret that I was involved in the deal,” he told his Obi One Podcast.

“I was involved in trying to make sure that I get Victor to Chelsea, yeah, a lot happened, it was very interesting, because I think I hear a lot of people saying this and saying that about Victor and and how greedy he is and stuff like that. Blah, blah blah.

“I just want to say it here that I know the boy since from the very first day he joined the national team, yeah, my relationship with him has been very, very good.

“I know what he’s capable of, and I just want to say that is absolutely not true. Victor is not a greedy boy. He only wants to get what he deserves. And that’s not a problem.

“I know what happened. I was there, in the midst of everything. So I can tell everybody that that is definitely not true.”

Tags John Obi Mikel Victor Osimhen
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